Concordia
Parish Library
ELECTRONIC
ACCESS INTERNET POLICY
I. MISSION
The mission of the
Concordia Parish Library is to provide patrons with the best and most current
information resources possible including online electronic information
resources. Online electronic resources currently accessible through the library
include the following:
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INTERNET:
An
unregulated worldwide information and communication network connecting to
thousands of other computer networks.
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INFOTRAC/GALENET
SEARCHBANK:
An index to hundreds of general and specialized periodicals, some offering
full text articles.
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LEARN-A-TEST:
This is a database of test materials including civil service, academic and
professional exams. Patrons
create their own profile, and can return to take another test.
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NEWSPAPER
DATABASE:
A database of the Louisiana Newspapers as well major U.S. Newspapers offering full
text articles.
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LOUIS:
An online
access to the library catalogs of Louisiana's colleges and universities.
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Special
web sites from Concordia Parish Library's web page.
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II. ELECTRONIC
RESOURCES AND USERS RESPONSIBILITY
These resources contain a
wealth of valuable information. However, users should be aware that some
information might be inaccurate, outdated, or offensive. Use of these
resources carries with it a responsibility to evaluate the quality of the
information accessed. Parents have the ultimate responsibility for their
children. PARENTS, not the library, are responsible for the use of these
resources by their children.
III. ACCEPTABLE USES
(Examples)
Patrons are encouraged to use the workstation for the following purposes:
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Research
and educational information.
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Unstructured
navigation ("surfing") of the Internet to locate sites of
interest and to improve usage skills.
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Printing
from full text databases.
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Downloading
of public domain software (with library administration's permission.)
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E-Mail.
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PRIVILEGES:
1.
Search the Internet through the library's web page.
2.
Print materials from the printer at a charge of 20 cents per page for
black and white copies, color copies are 50 cents per page.
3.
Downloading data to a disk purchased from the library for $1.00. Library
administration must assist with downloading.
IV. LIMITED OR
UNAVAILABLE USES:
Patrons and staff
may not use the workstations in the following situations:
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Illegal,
unauthorized, unethical or commercial purposes.
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Manipulation
of internal hardware and/or software including uploading of any software.
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Services
and/or uses are unavailable for chat lines and manipulation of Windows
95/98/2000.
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Pornography
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Playing
games except for children’s educational games such as Magic
School Bus.
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On-line
gambling services (including sports wagering)
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Transmission
or downloading of any material in violation of state or federal laws
including the following:
*Sending, receiving,
or displaying text or graphics which may reasonably be construed as
obscene, and
*Copying or
downloading of any material in violation of copyright law.
(Downloading of software or files not in the public domain is a violation
of copyright law and is expressly prohibited.)
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Adults
and children are not allowed to abuse keyboards monitors, CPU, etc.
Equipment must be handled with care. |
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No
food or drink is allowed at workstations. |
Unacceptable Usage by
Children:
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Access
by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web;
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Access
by minors to chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic
communications;
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Unauthorized
access, including so-called "hacking," and other unlawful
activities by minors online;
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Unauthorized
disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding
minors; and
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Measures
designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors.
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Workstation use is a
privilege and should be treated as such by all users of the system. There
are information resources on the Internet that are inappropriate for viewing in
a public setting. Because the Library is a public place shared by people
of all ages, the library staff has the right to end Internet sessions when such
material is displayed.
Prohibited uses will
result in loss of workstation privileges and possibly library privileges.
In accordance with the library's general policy, appeals of such loss
should be addressed in writing to the library director for review. Perpetrators
of malicious damage to the system will be prosecuted to the full extent of the
law.
V. GUIDELINES
LIBRARY CARD:
Using electronic services require a library card like other library services.
All residents and non-residents who purchase cards must show their library
cards at the desk. EXCEPTIONS ARE MADE FOR GUESTS AND/OR TOURISTS
TEMPORARILY IN THE PARISH.
TIME:
There is a time limit of 30 minutes per day for all children under the age of
16. If a child is typing a school assignment in Microsoft Word then an hour is
allowed. Adults are limited to 1 hour per day. If no one is waiting, adults may
use the Internet for a maximum of 2 hours per day. Adults and children
must present their library cards and sign in at the front desk and sign out.
SUMMER
REGULATIONS:
1. Only 1 person per computer workstation.
2. No Internet Service during Children's Programs.
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9-12 a.m. on
Tuesdays in Vidalia
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9-12 a.m. on
Thursdays in Ferriday
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9-12 a.m. on Fridays
in Clayton
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3. Young patrons, 16
years old and under must have an adult accompany them to use internet service.
Young patrons can ask the librarian for assistance if it is an educational
search.
COSTS:
There is no charge for use of the workstation and to access the information
therein.
However, patrons shall resume printing costs at the rate of 20 CENTS per
page for black and white copies. Color copies will be charged at a rate of
50 cents per page. Patrons are responsible for all printing, even accidental. PATRONS
SHOULD CLICK ON THE PRINT BUTTON ONLY ONCE, OTHERWISE EXCESS COPIES WILL BE
PRINTED.
Because of the possibility of virus contamination, DISKS FOR DOWNLOADING MUST
BE PURCHASED FROM THE LIBRARY AT A COST OF $1.00. Downloading will be at the
discretion of the library administration. DISKS PURCHASED CANNOT BE TAKEN OUT
OF THE LIBRARY AND BROUGHT BACK IN. If the patron would like to continue to
use the disk, the patron can leave it at the front desk and ask for it upon the
next visit.
CAUTION: Software downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus and you
need to have virus-checking software on your home computer.
AGE: Because
of the high costs and delicate nature of complex electronic and mechanical
equipment, children under the age of 16 will be required to have a parent
or adult guardian present when using the workstation.
If the parent cannot be with their underage children while using the computer
workstation, they may sign a permission slip giving their child permission to
use workstation. SEE CIRCULATION STAFF FOR A COPY OF THE PERMISSION SLIP. The
parent guardian is responsible for any fees or damages that may occur. Also, the
library is not responsible for materials they may view.
VI. COMMENTS AND
SUGGESTIONS
New
technology/electronic information is emerging, expanding and changing
constantly. The Concordia Parish Library Board of Control encourages
patrons to make use of the new technology.
I Accept
I Do Not Accept
