Internet Use Policy

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

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

• Use of computers for harassment.

• Hacking or any other unauthorized use of computers is illegal.

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2. Parents or guardians, NOT the libraries or library staff, are responsible for the use of Internet resources by their children. However, staff may curtail a child’s use of the Internet if the content is deemed offensive or age-inappropriate.

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3. Use of computer workstations is on a first-come-first-served basis. A person will have one hour for a computer, after which he/she must be willing to relinquish within 10 minutes if requested by staff due to full capacity. There is no limit assigned to adult users as long as no one else is waiting to use a computer. Children may be limited to two hours at the discretion of the librarian.

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4. One must legibly sign in with time in and out each time one uses the computers.

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5. One may not use his/her own software programs on the computer workstations. If one wishes to save files or downloaded information, one may use his/her own flash drive or may purchase a blank CD from the librarian. These measures will prevent computer viruses that are common on public computers.

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6. One may not alter any setting, including home page, on a computer. See library staff if you wish to recommend changing a setting.

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7. Print B&W copies from a computer workstation will be 20 cents per page, or as posted.

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8. Inasmuch as privacy cannot be guaranteed for public access computers, librarians may caution or, upon repeated warning, dismiss patrons who display graphics that might offend passersby.

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9. Wireless Internet on one’s personal laptop computer may be used at equipped PCL facilities through the user/password procedures. All PCL policies will be in effect except for those pertaining to one’s own computer settings and software management.

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10. The Pocahontas County Libraries does filter through Internet services 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 will be fully implemented and used by the Pocahontas County Libraries. One may request a filter override, code placed by the librarian, if the purpose and content does not conflict with that of C.I.P.A. PCL does not guarantee that the filtering technology will block all obscene material as defined by C.I.P.A. or that it will allow all permissible material.

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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 will be enforced by the Pocahontas County 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.

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Note that it is illegal for all patrons including both adults and minors to access any visual depictions that are obscene or child pornography. C.I.P.A. defines as a minor anyone who is not yet 17 years of age.

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Minors are warned against disclosing and disseminating personal identification information through email.

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A copy of the C.I.P.A. and the N.C.I.P.A. is available for patrons to read.

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11. Failure to follow this policy will result in loss of one’s computer privileges. Appeals of suspension by the PCL Director must be scheduled at a meeting of the PCL Board of Trustees.

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Warning: Although PCL uses a virus checker on our computer workstations, this does not completely protect one. 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 PCL computer workstations.