Purpose:

To fulfill its mission of providing public access to information in a wide range of formats, the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library provides access to Internet resources. The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national, and international sources of information. The Library's Web Page (www.kleberglibrary.com) was created to assist patrons with selection of accurate, authoritative information.

Computer Access is a limited resource at the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library. For this reason, patrons are encouraged to use these computers for informational purposes rather than for recreational use.

Internet Access by Minors:

The Robert J. Kleberg Public library affirms the right and responsibility of parents to exercise guidance on a child's access to the Internet. Children under age 14 will not be allowed Internet access without a parent or guardian present. Any adult card holder under the age of 18 must have a signed parental release on file to access the Internet independently.

Procedures:

--Patrons must comply with Library Internet Policy and Procedures for computer use. Violations of the Internet Policy may result in suspension or loss of computer privileges.
--Any adult card holder under the age of 18 must have a signed parental release on file to access the Internet independently.
--Patrons are limited to 45 minutes of computer use. Additional time may be granted if a computer is available.
--Use of the computers for Internet access and word processing is allocated in time slots of 45 minutes.
--When using the computers in the Adult Department, only those patrons who are registered to use the computer may view the accessed material. A parent must be the registered user and stay with his/her child if the parent wishes to show the Internet to a minor child.
--Staff will provide limited assistance to patrons or as time allows.
--Headphones are available for computer audio access. Headphones are for individual use and, for sanitary reasons, should not be shared by other users. The headphones will be disinfected after each use.
--Patrons may not save personal files or software applications to the Library's computers. Diskettes and CDs are available for purchase at the Circulation Desk or files may be saved to the patron's USB storage device.
--Printing services are available to patrons: 20 cents per page for black & white and 25 cents per page for color printing.
--Patrons may not use personal software or alter or reconfigure the library's computers or software.

Acceptable Use Policy:

The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library is committed to providing an environment appropriate for its customers and employees. Therefore, when using a Library computer, a patron must:

--Not distribute unsolicited advertising.
--Respect intellectual property by only downloading information or computer files with proper permission.
--Respect the privacy of others.
--Not misrepresent themselves, or attempt to gain unauthorized access either inside or outside the library.
--Not install any software on library computers.
--Not alter, remove, or damage configurations, software, telephone lines, or other facilities of the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library.
--Not use Robert J. Kleberg Public Library computers for any unauthorized, illegal, or unethical purpose.

The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library reserves the right to take appropriate action to insure compliance with these procedures.

Disclaimer Notice:

Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users' activities. However, the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the public except as required by law or necessary for the proper operation of the Library.

The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library cannot guarantee the validity or accuracy of information found on the Internet. Library patrons are advised, as with all library materials, to exercise judgment and discrimination when evaluating the usefulness and reliability of material found on the Internet.

Although many potentially valuable sources of information are located throughout the Internet, some resources and destinations contain material that some patrons may find offensive or inappropriate for children. There are sites that are inappropriate for use or viewing in a public setting. The library cannot control the content of sources found on the Internet. Therefore, patrons must evaluate the validity and desirability of the information found. The Library is not responsible for Internet content, for changes in content of the sources to which the Library Web Page links, or for the content of sources accessed through secondary links.

Although Robert J. Kleberg Public Library utilizes virus-checking software, this is not a guarantee that everything will be completely protected from viruses. Software downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus. The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal disks when downloading, or to a user's own computer. Further, the Library is not responsible for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from a patron's use of the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library's computers.

Violations of the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library Policy and Procedures 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, will be subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities. In addition, patrons shall agree to hold harmless, indemnify, and unconditionally reimburse the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library for any damage, liability, costs, claims, or expenses that the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library may incur or that arises in any manner from any use or misuse of the Internet access by a patron.

The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library Board of Trustees may periodically revise this policy.

Revised October 2009