JACKSON PARISH LIBRARY
ELECTRONIC RESOURCES ACCESS
POLICY
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 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 Draft Version 1.1, Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks)
The library’s mission is to provide patrons with the best and most current resources possible. It is within this context that the library offers access to the electronic resource environment, including access to the Internet and its multitude of resources. The library also provides access to subscription databases available through the Louisiana Library Connection statewide database network and other electronic resources subscribed to directly by the Jackson Parish Library.
II. Users Responsibility

Use of electronic resources is 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. However, users should be aware that the Internet and World Wide Web are unregulated. Some information may be inaccurate, outdated, incomplete or offensive. 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.

All minors under age 18 using the Internet are required to read and follow the Kids’ Rules for Online Safety posted in the library and available at the Circulation Desk. Parents and children are also encouraged to read Child Safety on the Information Highway, accessible from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at www.missingkids.com and The Librarian’s Guide to Cyberspace for Parents and Kids at www.ala.org/parentspage.

Library staff will assist patrons in using the workstations as work schedules permit. Although the staff cannot provide in-depth training, they will answer questions and help users locate and use resources on the Internet.

All users must follow all Sign-In Policies/Procedures. Users who refuse to follow these policies will not be allowed to use a workstation.

1. All users are required to sign in as per library policies at the circulation desk before using a workstation.
2. All users are required to obtain and present their own valid Jackson Parish Library card when signing in to use a computer workstation.
3. Non-residents of Jackson Parish who do not otherwise qualify for a library card may sign in to use a computer workstation as a “guest” user by presenting a current, valid photo ID, such as a Driver’s License or other state, employer or school- issued photo ID.
4. Children under the age of 16 must have a permission form signed by their parent or adult legal guardian in order to use a workstation unaccompanied by the parent or guardian.
5. The following policies will apply to users who owe fines and/or fees to the library:
1. Users who owe fines/fees of $10.00 or more must pay their account in full to receive workstation privileges.
2. Users who owe fines/fees of any amount and who have owed such for more than 90 days must pay their account in full to receive workstation privileges.

III. Prohibited Use

Patrons are prohibited from using the workstations in the following manner:
• Illegal, unauthorized, unethical or commercial purposes.
• Manipulation of internal hardware and/or software.
• Transmitting or downloading any material in violation of state or federal laws, including sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics that may reasonably be construed as obscene or pornographic by local community standards.
• Use of chat rooms, instant messaging or other forms of electronic discussion.
• Gambling.
• Copying or downloading any material in violation of copyright law. (Downloading of
software and files not in the public domain is a violation of copyright law and is expressly
prohibited.)
Downloading of files or programs except to diskettes, CDs, flash drives or other removable storage media.
• Attaching other hardware (laptops, CD-ROM drives, printers, etc.) to the workstations or network connections. Personal laptops may be used on the library’s wireless network. Instructions and/or assistance for wireless access can be obtained at the circulation desk.

IV. Restricted Use

The Jackson Parish Library may choose to limit access to the following sites due to bandwidth limitations:

• Streaming video and/or other high bandwidth sites (youtube.com, tagged.com, etc.)

Also, the library is mindful of its commitment to the principles of freedom of access, but sensitive to the fact that workstations are in a public location subject to view by a wide audience. Therefore, library staff members have the right to determine appropriateness of workstation use and can, at any time, require the patron to leave the workstation. Patrons may be asked to leave a workstation if graphical material displayed is offensive or if the use of a workstation is disruptive to other users. Prohibited uses and/or failure to comply with policies of use will result in the loss of workstation privileges. Appeals of such loss should be made in writing to the Library Director in accordance with the library’s general policy. Perpetrators of malicious damage to the system will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

V. Limitations

Filters: In compliance with the requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (C.I.P.A.), as codified at 47 U.S.C. 254(h) and (l), the Jackson Parish Library enforces a policy of Internet safety that includes measures to block or filter Internet access for both minors and adults to certain visual depictions that are (1) obscene, or (2) child pornography, or, (3) harmful to minors.
However, users are advised that the use of such measures does not guarantee that such material cannot be accessed or that access to legitimate sites will not be blocked in error. Questions or concerns about access to specific sites should be referred to the Library Director.
Age: Because of the high cost and delicate nature of complex electronic and mechanical equipment, children under age 12 will be required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian when using a workstation. Workstations in the children’s area are reserved for use by children under the age of 12.
Time: Use of the workstations is on a first come, first served basis. Because of the limited number of workstations available, time limits will be imposed. The limit will be thirty minutes per day when all workstations are in use. Time limits may be extended when additional workstations are available. Time limits may be extended at the discretion of the library staff for patrons using workstations for employment, educational or scholarly research purposes.
Virus Protection: Although the library uses virus protection measures, there is no guarantee that diskettes will be protected or that files downloaded from the Internet will not contain a virus.
The library is not responsible for any damages that may arise from saving or downloading files to a diskette.
VI. Costs

There is no charge for basic use of the workstation. Patrons will assume the cost of printing information and graphics at the cost of .25 cents per page printed. (Patrons are required to pay the full cost of all pages printed, even if printed in error. Abuses may result in suspension of workstation privileges.) Wireless printing from personal laptops to the library’s network printer is available for .25 cents per page printed. Printer drivers and instructions can be obtained from the circulation desk.

Downloading is permitted only onto removable storage devices (e.g. floppy disks, CD’s, flash drives, etc.) Floppy disks can be purchased from the library at the cost of .75 cents per disk.

VII. Patron Requests

Electronic information and technology is emerging, expanding and changing constantly. The library encourages Jackson Parish citizens to make use of this new technology and welcomes comments and suggestions regarding policies governing use. The library administration is aware that as the environment changes, policies may have to change too. To this end, this policy will remain constantly in review. Comments and suggestions may be made to the Library Director in person, over the telephone, or in writing.


Patrons wishing to object formally to images, texts, or other content of the Library’s electronic resources or who wish the library to permit access to a blocked site may fill out the “Citizen’s Request for Review of Electronic Resources” form and submit it to the Library Director. Requests for appeal of decisions made by the Library Director will be referred to the Library Board.


Adopted: April 24, 1997
Revised: October 24, 2000
Revised: May 16, 2002
Revised: January 20, 2005
Revised: July 30, 2007