Internet
Internet
Authorized by: HCML Board of Trustees Effective Date: September 25, 1996
Relevant Forms: None Revised Date: April 22, 2021
The Horry County Memorial Library provides access to computers and the internet to provide educational opportunities and other valuable information for all ages. The following Internet Policy provides internet access guidelines for all Library users.
Rights of Users
The Library affirms the rights of its customers to privacy, intellectual freedom and access to information while using the Library’s computers and internet.
These rights are upheld by the Library’s Privacy Policy and the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights.
If a customer’s exercise of these rights causes them to violate the Library’s Code of Conduct and/or any federal or state law, the Library reserves the right to remove their computer access.
Guidelines for Use
By using a public computer at the Library, users agree to the following guidelines:
· Internet usage is governed by the Library’s Code of Conduct
· Users may not invade the privacy of other computer users
· Users may not engage in any behavior which is harassing, defamatory, or threatening
· Users may not display or send obscene images, messages, or files as defined by SC Code 16-15-305
· Users may not use the internet for any illegal activity
· Users may not bypass the filter or demonstrate to another person how to bypass the filtering software
· Users may not damage or attempt to damage equipment
· It is the user’s responsibility to respect copyright laws and software licensing agreements
· It is the user’s responsibility to assume responsibility for payment of fees for any fee-based service
Customers with a library card in good standing (less than $10 in fines) may use a library computer. They will need to enter their library card number and pin number to log into a computer.
Customers with a library card who have accumulated over $10 in fines may use a temporary guest pass to access the library’s computers.
If a non-resident visitor to the Library would like to use the Library’s computers and internet, they may obtain a temporary guest pass. Please refer to the Guest Pass Policy for more information.
The Library allows use of other devices in the Library and provides wireless internet at all Library locations. Please refer to the Wireless Internet Policy for more information.
Children’s Usage
Computers designated for use by children are located in every library branch. Only a children’s library card can be used to sign into a children’s computer. Designated children’s computers are filtered in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
In compliance with CIPA, protection measures are in place on designated children’s computers to block or filter internet access to pictures that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors. The Library’s guidelines for internet use prohibits unauthorized access, including hacking, and other unlawful activities by minors on the Library’s computers. The Library’s Privacy Policy prohibits the unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors.
Filters
The Library complies with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), which requires the use of filtering software for adults and minors (individuals under the age of 17).
In compliance with CIPA, the Library must block or filter access to pictures that are:
· Obscene
· Child pornography
· Harmful to minors
CIPA uses the Federal criminal definitions for the above categories.
Filtering software may not block all of the material a user would find offensive. Parents are therefore responsible for supervising their children’s internet usage within the Library.
Should an adult desire access to a website that has been blocked by the filtering software, they can request that the website be unblocked. If designated staff determine that the website is acceptable, the Library will comply with the unblocking request within a reasonable amount of time.
Penalties for Policy Violations
Violations of the guidelines of use described in this policy and/or the Library’s Code of Conduct while using a computer will result in the following actions:
· First incident – banned from the Library for one day
· Second incident – banned from the Library for 30 days
· Third incident – banned from the Library indefinitely
o After a one year period, the customer may request to have their Library privileges restored by the Library Director. The Library Director is under no obligation to restore privileges.
Disclaimer
Software and files downloaded from the Internet may contain viruses. Although the Library uses anti-virus software on the Library’s gateway, this may not completely protect users from getting a virus. The Library is not responsible for any damages from using the Internet including but not limited to: loss of data; damage to customer property; identity theft; or any other consequence of accessing the Internet. The Library has no control over the security of sending any information including credit card numbers. The Library is a public facility and encourages all customers to use proper protocol for sending private information. All computer users agree to hold the Horry County Memorial Library System harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations, or liabilities directly or indirectly relating to the use of the Horry County Memorial Library and the Internet, caused thereby or arising there from.
The Library Director is responsible for the establishment and administration of this policy.