Waupun Public Library

Internet Acceptable Use Policy

The Waupun Public Library offers Internet workstations for use by the general public and this policy is intended to promote constructive use of Internet resources.  The library does not actively monitor information accessed over the Internet and cannot guarantee the validity, timeliness, or accuracy of information found on the Internet, nor can the library be held responsible for finding all occurrences of information on the Internet. Library customers are advised to exercise judgment and discrimination when evaluating the usefulness and reliability of material found on the Internet.

Responsible, ethical use of Internet resources includes the following:

• Use resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes only; not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes.

Internet Use by Children

• The Waupun Public Library does not actively monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content.  It is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian to determine and monitor their children's use of library materials and resources, including the Internet. A parent or legal guardian must sign an Internet Use Permission Form for any child under the age of 18.
• Parents should be aware there are certain risks children may face by using the Internet, including use of email, chat rooms and bulletin boards.  Parents should advise their children to withhold personal information such as full name, address and telephone numbers from individuals they encounter online.
• Children should also be advised not to arrange meetings with "friends" they meet online or send pictures to these "friends" without parental consent.
• Another of the risks children may encounter is exposure to inappropriate material (as described in the Display of Explicit Materials section below).  Even the use of filtering software cannot totally prevent the appearance of inappropriate material on the screen.  Thus, it is advised that the parent of the minor instruct the child to abstain from actively seeking out inappropriate material.
• Children should also be advised by their parents against the unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding themselves or others online.

Display of Explicit Materials

• The access or display of text, graphics, or sounds which may reasonably be construed as inappropriate, obscene (see notes below) or disruptive to others in the library is strictly prohibited.  Additionally, Sec. 948.11 of the Wisconsin Statutes makes it a crime to expose children to pictures or images of nudity, sexually explicit conduct, or physical torture or brutality that appeal to the prurient, shameful or morbid interest of children, are patently offensive to prevailing adult standards regarding materials suitable for children, or lack serious literary, artistic, political, scientific or educational value for children.
• Some computers at the library are equipped with filtering software that will filter most sites containing explicit materials and are designed to restrict access to materials harmful to minors.  Due to the nature of these software packages you may not be able to access some sites which you may need for research.  If this happens, please contact the library staff.  Note that no software package can possibly filter every site containing explicit material and that these packages will not necessarily filter sites offensive to you.
• To be obscene, the average person, applying contemporary standards, must find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to prurient interests; the work must depict or describe, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct as specified in the applicable statuses; and the work, taken as a whole, must lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

Reserving Time

• Patrons may reserve an Internet computer by phone or in person up to one week in advance.  Reservation of an Internet workstation by one person is limited to one hour per day. If no one else wishes to use the computer at the end of a reserved time slot, the patron may continue to use the computer. Walk-in time may be available in unscheduled time slots or when a scheduled user fails to keep an appointment.
• If a person is ten minutes late for reserved time, their computer reservation may be cancelled.

Number of Users at a Computer

• No more than 2 persons may use the Internet computer at one time, unless a parent is accompanying 2 children.  Special arrangements can be made for classes and groups.

Printing

• Patrons will be charged for the use of the printer as posted. Use of paper in the library printer other than the library's own is at the discretion of library staff.

Software/Files

• Persons using this equipment agree not to make any changes to the setup or configuration of the software or hardware. Patrons may not install software programs on the library computers.
• Personal files may not be saved on the library's equipment.

Library Fines and Computer/Internet Use

• Library users with fines exceeding $1.00 will not be allowed to use the Waupun Public Library Internet and word processing computers until such fines are $1.00 or less. Users will be allowed to use the computers one time after verbal notification of a fine, but will then be blocked until fines are $1.00 or less.

Library Staff Assistance

• Library staff is available to assist you in use of these resources, but may not be familiar with every application you might wish to use. Because of the many different Internet applications available, we cannot provide complete technical support. Time permitting, staff will attempt to answer specific questions about the Internet and offer suggestions for effective searching. Information about Internet training opportunities and Internet training books and manuals may be obtained at the library.

Viruses

• The deliberate propagation of computer worms, viruses, the installation of .suid file, rhosts files, hidden subdirectories, or any other attempts to go to superusers status is strictly prohibited.
• Be aware that software downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus. The library is not responsible for damage to a patron's disk or computer, or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from a patron's use of the library's computers.

Copyright

• Make only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data. Abstain from altering or damaging software or data residing on the Internet. The person using the library equipment is liable for any copyright infringement.

Privacy

• Respect the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system ("hacking"), damaging or altering software components of any network or database; and, by not harassing and disrupting other users, services or library staff through the distribution of unsolicited advertising, chain letters, or through "spamming."
• In keeping with our general policies, the library will protect patron's rights to privacy and confidentiality. The library keeps any communications that reside on its computer network confidential. However, in general, communication is not secure and networks are sometimes susceptible to outside intervention. As part of normal system maintenance, network administrators do monitor system activity, but the library does not reveal information about an individual's use of computer resources unless compelled to do so by a court order.

Wireless Internet Access

• The Waupun Public Library provides unfiltered wireless Internet access.  This service is for patrons with wireless-capable devices, such as wireless-capable laptops and handheld computers, and is intended to be available during the normal operating hours of the library.  However, the library cannot guarantee that wireless service will be available at any specific time, nor guarantee Internet speed or the quality of the connection.
• To access the wireless network, patrons need a laptop or handheld computer that is configured to conform to standard 802.11b or 802.11g.  Most new laptops that come configured for wireless access can automatically pick up the wireless signal.  Individuals may need to know how to use their wireless device’s configuration software to connect to the wireless network.  Patrons may need to contact the manufacturer of their equipment if they need further assistance.  Due to liability issues, library staff is not allowed to configure patrons’ laptops or handheld computers or install any devices or software on those computers.
• Wireless networks are not secure and use is at the individual’s own risk.  Virus, security and privacy protection are the responsibility of the patron and are not provided by the library.  The library is not responsible for any damage to data files, alteration to file systems, theft of personal information or functionality of the computer resulting from connecting to the wireless network.
• Printing is not available on the wireless network.  Patrons using the wireless network must follow content guidelines outlined in the above “Display of Explicit Materials” section.

Violations may result in suspension or loss of privileges to use computer resources at the library. Any illegal activity involving the use of the Library's computers, including the Internet, is strictly prohibited and will be subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities. If a user feels that he/she has wrongfully lost his/her privileges, he/she may appeal the library's decision to the library director and/or the library board and the decision will be investigated.