Grant Parish Library
 

I. Mission
"'Freedom of expression is an inalienable human right and the foundation for self-government. Freedom of expression encompasses the freedom of speech and the corollary right to receive information. These rights extend to children as well as to adults. Libraries and librarians exist to facilitate these rights by providing access to, identifying, retrieving, organizing, and preserving recorded expression regardless of the formats or technologies in which that expression is recorded." (American Library Association, Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks)

II. Electronic Resources and Users Responsibility
Use of electronic resources is considered a privilege and is intended primarily for information and research. Equal access to that information is a cornerstone of the library's mission. These online resources contain a wealth of valuable information resources. However, users should be aware that some information might be inaccurate, outdated, or offensive. Your use of these resources carries with it a responsibility to evaluate the quality of the information accessed. Parents, not the Library, are responsible for the use of these resources by their children. The Grant Parish Library assumes that children coming unattended to the Library have parental permission to use all of its services and facilities, including the Internet.

Use of the workstations is on a first come, first served basis. There is, however, a 30 minute time limit. Users must sign in before using the workstations.

Library staff will be glad to assist patrons in using the workstations as their work schedule permits. Because of the many applications available, library staff may not always be familiar with specific programs patrons wish to use. In these cases the patron is responsible for learning how to use the programs, library staff cannot provide technical instruction for any programs other than software loaded onto the library's workstations.

III. Prohibited Uses
Workstation use is a privilege. It may not be used for illegal, unauthorized, unethical or commercial purposes.

Manipulation of internal hardware and or software is strictly prohibited, including uploading of any software. Perpetrators of malicious damage to the system will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Transmitting or downloading any material in violation of state or federal law is not permitted. It is not permitted to send, receive, or display text or graphics that may be reasonably construed as obscene. Patrons may not copy or download any material in violation of copyright law.

The library is mindful of its commitment to the principles of freedom of access, but sensitive to the fact that the library workstations are in a public location subject to view by a wide audience. Without wishing to censor access, Grant Parish Library staff has the right to determine appropriateness of workstation use and can, at any time, require the patron to leave the workstation. Patrons who refuse to abide by the Library's Electronic Resources Access Policy will lose the privilege of using the workstations. Since workstations are in the public area, patrons may be asked to leave a workstation if graphical or textual materials display is offensive.

Prohibited uses will result in the loss of workstation privileges. The first offense will result in the loss of use for the reminder of the day. The second offense will result in loss of use for one week. The third offense will result in loss of use of the workstations permanently or at the discretion of the Director. Appeals of such should be made to the Director.

IV. Limitations
Filters:
Filtering software can limit access to potentially objectionable materials. Reflecting community standards and in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act, filtering software is installed on all public workstations. However, the installation of filtering software is not to be taken as a guarantee that objectionable material cannot be accessed.

Chat Room, Instant Messaging, and Discussion Forums:
Access to chat rooms, instant messaging, and discussion forums is not allowed on the computer at Grant Parish Library. The filtering software will block access to a site that has one of these services as a main component of that site.

Age:
All patrons should and will have equal and unrestricted access to all forms of information. However, because of the cost and delicate nature of electronic and mechanical equipment, children age 12 and under will be required to be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian when using the workstation. Exceptions may be made once children have demonstrated their knowledge of computer use and care for the equipment to the satisfaction of library staff.

Time:
Because of the limited number of workstations available, time limits will be imposed when demand is high. The time allowed per use is 30 minutes. If no one else is waiting to use the workstation, time may be extended.

Computer time may not be reserved. Patrons must be present and waiting when a workstation becomes available. Library staff will determine when workstation time has expired and make assignments to workstations as they become available and tell patrons when to sign in for their time for to re-sign for additional time.

Research or School Assignment Work and Surfing the Net, Playing Games, etc."
Because of the limited number of workstations available, patrons wishing to conduct research or work on school assignments will be given priority over patrons surfing the Internet, playing games, etc. If all workstations are in use, patrons using the workstations for anything other than research or school assignments will be required to surrender use of the workstation.

Conduct:
Patrons must abide by the general rules of conduct for the library while using the workstations. Failure to comply with these rules will result in loss of workstation and/or library privileges.

V. Acceptable Uses (Examples)
A. Research and educational information
B. Unstructured navigation (surfing) of the Internet
C. Printing from databases to which the Grant Parish Library subscribes or material from software loaded onto the Grant Parish Library server
D. Downloading (with staff permission) of above mentioned databases and software on disks provided and purchased from the library.

VI. Costs
There is no charge for basic use of the workstation. Patrons will assume the costs of printing information and graphics at 15 cents per page for black and white copies. Downloading onto disks will be permitted only with disks purchased from the library because of the possibility of virus contamination. Disks may be purchased from the library for $1.00 each. Disks may be left at the library if patrons which to use them on the library workstation again; otherwise, a new disk must be purchased the next time the patron downloads.

VII. Patron Requests
Electronic information and technology is emerging, expanding and changing constantly. The library encourages Grant Parish citizens to make use of this technology and welcomes comments and suggestions regarding policies governing use. The library administration is aware that as the environment changes policy may have to change too. To this end, this policy will be reviewed and adjusted when necessary to meet this parish's electronic information needs. Comments and suggestions may be made to the library director in person, over the telephone, in writing, or through email to dlively@state.lib.la.us