Claiborne Parish Public Library
Acceptable Use and Safety Policy for Internet Use

One mission of the Claiborne Parish Public Library is to provide our patrons with the best and most current information resources within our means. This encompasses many formats including online electronic information resources such as the Internet, electronic databases for periodicals, reference materials and other electronic educational materials.
The Internet contains a wealth of valuable information. However, users should be aware that some information on the Internet may be inaccurate, outdated or offensive. Use of these resources carries a responsibility to evaluate the quality of information accessed. It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to monitor and guide their children in the use of the Internet.

The Federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires filtering on ALL computers in the library to protect against visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography and materials harmful to minors. While the Claiborne Parish Public Library attempts, through filtering software, to prevent direct access to materials that would not be generally acceptable in a public library, it is technically impossible to prevent access to all objectionable resources.

Privacy of communications in Internet use is not guaranteed, especially in sending and receiving email and in chat rooms. As a precaution users should avoid posting personal information such as home addresses, phone numbers and credit card numbers to unsecured websites or give out personal information to any unknown Internet users.

When using computer and Internet services provided by the Claiborne Parish Public Library all persons shall:
1. Not access, transmit, upload, download or distribute material or language that is pornographic.
2. Not engage in any illegal activities on the Internet.
3. Not violate copyright or otherwise use intellectual property of another without permission.
4. Not engage in hacking or attempts to compromise any computer or network station.
5. Not manipulate the internal hardware or software of the workstation computers.
Computer users will lose their workstation privileges if found in violation of any rules as listed above.

Workstation use is a privilege and should be treated as such by all users of the system. The Library Staff has the right to determine the appropriateness of workstation use and can at any time monitor its use and, if necessary, require a patron to leave a workstation. Appropriate Library Staff may disable filtering software during any use by an adult to enable access to bona fide research or other lawful purposes. However, the Children’s Internet Protection Act does not allow for the disabling of the filtering software for minors under any circumstances.

Children under the age of (15) fifteen are required to have a parent or guardian sign a permission slip for use of the computer workstations. These are kept on file and noted on their registration information.

Users of electronic resources must sign up at the circulation desk. Time will be limited to 30 minutes per person during peak usage periods. We ask that no workstation be used for over one hour unless prior arrangements have been made at the circulation desk.

There is no cost to access the workstations and the information therein. However, patrons shall assume printing costs at the rate of .10 cents/page, even if they use their own paper. Users are responsible for misprinting errors.

The Claiborne Parish Library Board of Control encourages patrons to make use of the electronic resources and welcomes comments and suggestions regarding policies and governing use.

This policy will be evaluated on a yearly basis and as usage needs and changing technologies necessitates. Policy changes must be approved by the Library Board of Control upon recommendation of the Director.