Pocahontas County Free Libraries

Internet Use Policy

The Internet, a global electronic network, enables our libraries to provide information beyond the collections contained within our walls. However, Pocahontas County Free Libraries have no control over the information available via the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. Some information may be inaccurate, outdated or offensive. You must be a skeptical user and question the validity of the information you find.

This policy has been adopted by the Board of Trustees of Pocahontas County Free Libraries in an effort to ensure that all patrons shall have equal access to information, and also to ensure that patrons respect all other patrons.

1. To insure appropriate use of library resources, electronic access and library equipment may not be used for the following purposes:

• Illegal, unauthorized, unethical, or commercial purposes (defined as direct usage of Library resources to market, advertise or sell good or services).

• Viewing, transmitting, uploading and/or downloading text or graphics that may be reasonably construed as obscene.

• Copying or downloading any material in violation of copyright laws.

• Manipulating internal hardware and/or software including uploading files.

• Access to any chat room, which includes all conversations to other computers on the Internet. Exception will be made upon written application for a student enrolled in a class that utilizes a chat room for class purposes.

2. Parents or guardians, NOT the libraries or library staff, are responsible for the use of Internet resources by their children.

3. Use of computer workstations is on a first-come-first-served basis. A time limit of 20 minutes will be imposed if others are waiting to use the computer. That is, you must make the computer available within 20 minutes of being informed by library staff that another person is waiting.

4. You must sign in each time you use the computers.

5. There is no time limit assigned to user as long as no one else is waiting to use a computer. You may sign in to use a computer up to three times per day.

6. You may not use your own software programs on the computer workstations. If you wish to save files or downloaded information, you must purchase a diskette from the librarian. These measures will prevent computer viruses that are common on public computers.

7. Print copies from a computer workstation will be 15 cents per page. (Please continue reading policy on reverse side)

8. The Pocahontas County Free Libraries does filter. Internet services are provided through the statewide network of the West Virginia State Library Commission. As required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (C.I.P.A.), the filter (technology protection measure) provided by the state commission is fully implemented and used by the Pocahontas County Public Libraries. The provisions of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (C.I.P.A.) and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act (N.C.I.P.A.) are adopted and are enforced by the Pocahontas County Free Libraries. This includes prohibition of Internet use of material defined as harmful to minors per West Virginia Code 61-8A-1 and United States code title 18, Sections 1460 and 2256. Note that it is illegal for all patrons including both adults and minors to access any visual depictions that are obscene or child pornography. CIPA defines as a minor anyone who is not yet 17 years of age. Hacking or any other unauthorized use of computers is illegal. Minors are warned against disclosing and disseminating personal identification information through email. A copy of the C.I.P.A. and the N.C.I.P.A. is available for patrons to read.

9. Failure to follow this policy will result in loss of your computer privileges.

Warning: Although we use a virus checker on our computer workstations, this doesn’t completely protect you. Software downloaded from the Internet could contain a virus which could be spread to your home computer. The Libraries are not responsible for any damage to a patron’s home computer arising from use of PCFL computer workstations