Effective Date: July 2, 2014
Policy for Public Use of the Internet
The Beverly Hills Public Library, in its role as a public provider of information and lifelong learning, provides access to the Internet. All workstations are filtered for adult content alcohol and tobacco, gambling, hacking and warez, illegal activities, parked domains, spam and xxx. Two unfiltered workstations are available. The Library supports the right of individuals to choose library materials for themselves, including those of electronic format.
Choosing and Evaluating Sources
The Internet is a global electronic network of ideas, images, and commentary that may enhance resources already available in the Library. The Library does not control the information on the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. Users are encouraged to exercise critical judgment when using the Internet in a safe, effective, and efficient manner. As with printed materials information, users are encouraged to evaluate the validity of information found electronically.
Access by Children
The Library does not have the right or responsibility to act in the place of the parent or legal guardian. There will be some resources which parents or guardians may feel are inappropriate for their children. Parents or guardians are encouraged to work closely with their children in selecting and using materials and resources that are consistent with their own distinct family and personal viewpoints or values.
Public Internet computers in the children's area are equipped with commercial filtering software. The blocking software, or filter, is intended to protect against access to Internet material that is obscene, child pornography, or objectionable information.
Parents and children should be aware that no filtering system is 100% effective. Words, images or sounds that may be considered inappropriate or offensive by a computer user may not be blocked. The same filter may block other constitutionally protected information that a computer user may wish to access. Parents or legal guardians must accept full responsibility for teaching their child appropriate Internet behavior and for supervising the child's use of the Internet so that inappropriate materials are not accessed. Children under nine years old should be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Parents or guardians and children should read Child Safety on the Internet Highway (http://www.safekids.com/child-safety-on-the-information-highway/) and Teen Safety on the Internet Highway (http://www.safeteens.com/teen-safety-on-info-highway/) produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Parents and children are also encouraged to read the T h e L ibrarian 's Gu ide to G rea t W eb S ites f o r Kid s produced by the Association for Library Service to Children. It is available online at http://www.ala.org/greatsites.
Responsibilities of Users
Users are expected to use the Internet at the Library in a responsible and courteous manner consistent with the purpose for which it is provided and to follow all Library rules, procedures and policies established for its use. Violation of these rules may result in termination of a session, suspension or loss of the privilege to use the Internet or suspension of all library privileges per the Library Standard of Behavior.
Any illegal activity involving the Library's Internet resources will be subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities.
Responsible use of the Internet at the Library includes:
Complying with the library's posted rules, procedures, and policies Refraining from using another's password or identity or login ID Refraining from illegal or unethical use of the Internet Respecting intellectual property rights by making only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data
Refraining from damaging or altering the configuration of the equipment used to access the Internet
Refraining from inappropriately altering or damaging software or data The City of Beverly Hills does not condone, authorize, or permit any person to send or receive any materials over the Internet that may be classified as obscene, incitement to riot, or which have otherwise been declared unlawful or unconstitutional by State, local or federal courts of law.
Network Security
For website security and to ensure that service remains available to all library users, BHPL electronically monitors network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise cause damage. Anyone using the BHPL website or public computers expressly consents to such monitoring.
Privacy
The Library does not monitor an individual's use of the Internet. Computer searches on public computers are programmed to delete the history of a user's Internet session once the user logs off. The Computer Booking history is deleted every day.
Copyright
U.s. copyright law (Title 17, U.s. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of "fair use".
Users may not copy or distribute electronic material without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. The Library makes no guarantees, either express or implied, with respect to Internet use, nor is the Library responsible for any misuse of copyright or other violations.
Disclaimer
The City of Beverly Hills expressly disclaims any liability for injuries and/or damages of any kind whatsoever, including consequential damages, arising out of the use of the Internet, the obtaining of any materials from or over any Internet connection and the fitness for use or purpose of any materials, programs or information obtained through access to the Internet.
The accessing or use of the Internet through any equipment or service offered by the City of Beverly Hills shall constitute acknowledgement of this waiver and disclaimer and shall be deemed acceptance of its terms and conditions. All users shall expressly assume the risk of receiving incorrect, inaccurate, defective, fraudulent or unlawful information while accessing the Internet through any equipment or service offered by the City of Beverly Hills.
Effective Date: July 2, 2014
APPROVED: