CHAPTER IX
ELISHA D. SMITH PUBLIC LIBRARY
INTERNET & SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
A. APPROPRIATE USE OF LIBRARY INTERNET ACCESS
B. PROHIBITED USE OF LIBRARY INTERNET ACCESS
C. SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
A. APPROPRIATE USE OF LIBRARY INTERNET ACCESS
1. The library provides free computer and wireless internet access to the public as an informational, educational and recreational resource. The use of all forms of that access is bound by this policy.
2. The library shall require a valid library card or photo identification to use library equipment to access the internet.
3. The library may impose restrictions, such as time limits or types of use.
4. All patrons and staff shall use the internet in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational, recreational and informational purposes for which it is provided.
5. Children in fifth grade and younger shall use the computers in the youth department for internet access after signing up at the department’s public service desk.
B. PROHIBITED USE
1. The following uses of library internet access are prohibited:
a. Viewing, distributing, or displaying visual depictions that are obscene.
b. Viewing or displaying visual images that are harmful to minors.
c. Misrepresenting oneself, for fraudulent or illegal purposes, as another user.
d. Attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others.
e. Sending threatening or harassing material.
f. Engaging in any activity that creates an intimidating or hostile environment.
g. Disseminating anyone’s personal identification information without permission.
h. Seeking unauthorized access to any computer system.
i. Making changes to the settings or configuration of software or hardware.
j. Making unauthorized copies of copyrighted or licensed material in any form.
k. Using software not installed by the Library.
2. The library reserves the right to monitor access to the internet to ensure compliance with this policy.
a. Library staff will ask users to end their access to the internet if they observe behavior in conflict with this policy
b. Users may be banned from future access to the internet based on the infraction and the number of times the infraction has occurred. The first offense will result in being banned from library internet access for at least one month; the library director shall determine the repercussions of further offenses.
c. Library staff shall notify the police of willingly unlawful behavior.
C. SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
The library has established social media sites to inform library users about library programs, events, and materials and to encourage dialogue and the exchange of information and knowledge between users and library staff about library issues. The library’s social media sites may also be used to notify the general public of library employment opportunities. The library’s social media sites are not intended to be traditional public forums for the general exchange of ideas and viewpoints, but a limited forum for discussing library programs, events, and materials. Courts have recognized that libraries are limited purpose public forums and as such are only obligated to permit the public to exercise rights that are consistent with the nature of the library and consistent with the government’s intent in designating the library as a traditional public forum. All postings related to this mission statement, as determined by the library in its sole discretion, are permitted except as otherwise stated in this policy.
1. By joining, using, and/or posting on the library’s social media sites, you agree to comply with this policy.
2. The library is not responsible or liable for the content of postings by third parties on any library-sponsored social media site, and postings do not reflect the opinions or positions of library, its employees, or its Board of Trustees.
3. Users should have no expectation of privacy in postings on library-sponsored social media sites. By using these sites, you consent to the library’s right to access, monitor, and read any postings on the sites. The library’s social media sites may be considered public records. If requested by proper legal authority, the library must disclose public records to third party requestors unless certain exemptions apply.
4. By posting on the library’s social media sites, you give the library permission to use your name, profile picture, and the content of any posting you make without compensation to you or liability on the part of the library.
5. The purpose of the library’s social media sites is to inform library users about educational opportunities, library programs, events (including those co-sponsored with other organizations) and materials, and to encourage dialogue and the exchange of information and knowledge between users and library staff about these programs, events and materials. Accordingly, any postings inconsistent with this stated purpose, as determined by the library in its sole discretion, may be removed in accordance with the process set forth in this policy. Examples of postings not permitted include, but are not limited to:
a. Advertisements
b. Spam
c. Postings which contain obscene matter
d. Disparaging, harassing, abusive, profane or offensive postings
e. Postings that are hateful, threatening, pornographic, that contain graphic or gratuitous violence
f. Potentially libelous or defamatory postings
Approved by the Elisha D. Smith Public Library Board of Trustees September 28, 2016
