Public Computers
Policies and Disclaimer
INTRODUCTION
This document constitutes a Library-wide policy for the management of computer
data networks and the resources they make available, as well as stand-alone
computers that are owned and administered by the Joliet Public Library. The
policy reflects the ethical principles of the Joliet Public Library and
indicates, in general, what privileges and responsibilities are characteristic
of the Library computing environment.
GENERAL POLICIES
Computer use has become an integral part of many Library activities. While much
computing is now done on individual computing resources, most information and
communications systems either reside on central computers or use networks.
Procedures for gaining access to and making optimum use of these resources
(including the steps to be taken in lodging complaints) are available to users.
EXTERNAL NETWORKS
Members of the Library community who use networks or facilities not owned by the
Library will adhere to the policies and procedures established by the
administrators of these networks and facilities. (These can usually be obtained
from the network information center of the network in question.) Use of Library
computing resources must follow the guidelines of all of the networks traversed.
CONFIDENTIALITY
In general, the Library will treat information stored on computers as
confidential (whether or not that information is protected by the computer
operating system). Requests for disclosure of information will be honored only
under one of the following conditions:
- When approved by the appropriate Library administrator;
- When authorized by the owners of the information;
- When required by local, state or federal law.
Except when inappropriate, computer users will receive prior notice of such
disclosures. (Viewing of information in the course of normal system maintenance
does not constitute disclosure.)
Warning: Users of electronic mail systems should be aware that electronic
mail in its present form cannot be secured and is, therefore, extremely
vulnerable to unauthorized access and modification.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF USERS
The user is responsible for correct and sufficient use of the tools available
for maintaining the security of information stored on each computer system. The
following precautions are strongly recommended:
- Computer accounts, passwords and other types of authorization that are
assigned to individual users should not be shared with others.
- The user should assign an obscure account password and change it
frequently.
- The user should understand the level of protection each computer system
automatically applies to files and supplement it, if necessary, for
sensitive information.
- The microcomputer user should be aware of computer viruses and other
destructive computer programs, and take steps to avoid being a victim or
unwitting distributor of these processes.
Ultimate responsibility for resolution of problems related to the invasion of
the user's privacy or loss of data rests with the user. The Library assumes no
liability for loss or damage to the user's data or for any damage or injury
arising from invasion of the user's privacy.
ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES
Library computing resources are to be used to advance the Library's mission.
Staff may use them only for purposes related to the discharge of their duties as
employees, their official business with the Library, and other
Library-sanctioned activities.
LEGAL USE
Computing resources may only be used for legal purposes by the public and staff.
Examples of unacceptable purposes include, but are not limited to, the
following:
- Harassment of other users;
- Libeling or slandering other users;
- Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the
Library or other users;
- Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications;
- Unauthorized copying of copyright-protected material.
ETHICAL USE
Computing resources should be used in accordance with the ethical standards of
the Library. Examples of unacceptable use (some of which may also have legal
consequences) include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Violation of computer system security;
- Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network
identification numbers assigned to others;
- Use of computer communications facilities in ways that unnecessarily
impede the computing activities of interactive network utilities, and so
forth;
- Violation of software license agreements;
- Violation of network usage policies and regulations;
- Violation of another user's privacy.
COOPERATIVE USE
Computing resource users can facilitate computing at the Library in many ways.
The Library endorses the practice of cooperative computing. It includes:
- Regular deletion of unneeded files from one's accounts on shared computing
resources;
- Refraining from overuse of connect time, information storage space,
printing facilities or processing capacity;
- Refraining from overuse of interactive network utilities;
- Refraining from use of sounds and visuals which might be disruptive to
others;
- Refraining from use of any computing resource in an irresponsible manner.
SANCTIONS
Violators of computing resources use policies may lose library privileges.
(Staff will be subject to normal disciplinary procedures as well.) Violations of
the policies described above for legal and ethical use of computing resources
will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner. Illegal acts involving
Library computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state
or federal authorities.
DISCLAIMER
Since the Internet is a global electronic network, there is no state/county
control of its users or content. The Internet and its available resources may
contain material of a controversial nature. The Library cannot censor access to
material nor protect users from offensive information. Parents of minor children
must assume responsibility for their children's use of the Internet through the
Library's connection. Parents and children are encouraged to read My Rules for
Online Safety available from the Seattle Public Library's Home Page. Another
important set of helpful suggestions for your child's safety on the Internet is
Child Safety on the Information Highway, reprinted and distributed with
permission of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Library staff cannot control the availability of information links which
often change rapidly and unpredictably. Not all sources on the Internet provide
accurate, complete or current information. Users need to be good information
consumers, questioning the validity of the information.
Also, the Joliet Public Library assumes no responsibility for any damages,
direct or indirect, arising from use of its WWW Server or from its connections
to other Internet services.
We owe special thanks to the University of Notre Dame, the Pullen
Library at Georgia State University, and the St. Joseph County Public Library
for allowing us to borrow extensively from them in creating our own computer
usage policy.
This policy was adopted by the Joliet Public Library Board of Trustees on
September 19, 1996. Send all comments and questions to: jspears@jolietlibrary.org
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