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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 98-21 RESOLUTION NO. R98-21 A RESOLUTION OF TH$ CITY COUNCIL OF THS CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE FRIENDSWOOD LIBRARY INTERNET USAGE POLICY, AS ADOPTED BY THE FRIENDSWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD ON JULY 8, 1997. * * * * * * * * * * * BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS: The Friendswood Public Library Internet Usage Policy, a true and correct copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and for all things made a part hereof, is hereby adopted. Said Friendswood Public Library Internet usage Policy, as adopted by the Friendswood Public Library board on July 8, 1997, shall become and comprise a part of the Friendswood Public Library Board Handbook. PASSED, APPROVED AND RESOLVED this lSth day of ,7i�np , 1998. . Mayor Harold L. Whitaker City of Friendswood ATTEST: C � s Deloris McKenz e, MC City of Friendswood R98.21/LST03 EXHIBIT "A" FRIENDSWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY INTERNET USAGE PQLICY 1.ACCESS TO INTERNET RESOURCES 1.1 - The mission of the Friendswood Public Library(hereafter refened to as "Library")is to provide appropriate informational, educational, recreational, and cultwal materials(without regard to format)and programs, free to all citizens, property owners, or employees of this city. In addition to serving the individual, the Friendswood Public Library seeks continualiy to identify and meet community needs throu,gh cooperation with and support of educational, civic, and cultural activiries of groups, organizations,and institutions. Thus the individual and the community are encouraged to promote,through guidance and stimulation,the communication of ideas. 1.2 - Throughout its history the Friendswood Public Library has made information available in a variety of formats, from print to audiovisual materials. The Library's computer system provides the opportunity to integrate electronic resources from information networks around the world with the Library's other resowces. 1.3 - The Internet, as an information resource, enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collection. It allows access to ideas, information and commenta.ry from around the globe. 1.4 - In introducing the Internet as an information resource,the Friendswood Public Library's primary goals are to enhance its existing collection in size and depth and, as a public access agency, give any cardholder the opporiunity to navigate the Internet in the library. 1.5 - Library staff will identify specific starting points for searches on the Library's home page which are appropriate to the Library's mission and service roles. The Library cannot control or monitor other material which may be accessible from Internet sources. 1.6 - Since it is not possible to apply the same selection criteria which are used for other materials, individual users must accept responsibility for determining the suitability of the content they view. 2. IN-LIBRARY ACCESS 2.1 - The Library upholds and affirms the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected material. 'The Library also affirms the right and responsibility of parents to determine and monitor their children's use of Library materials and resources. 2.2 - The Library will provide Internet stations in the Library's reference area. Library staff is available to provide assistance and to help identify appropriate sites. The user, however, is the selector in using the Internet, with individual choiees and decisions. 3. CONDTTIONS AND TERMS OF USE IN THE LIBRARY In an effort to ensure that the use of this medium is consistent with the Mission of the Friendswood Public Library the following regulations shall apply: 3.1 - Designated Internet stations will be located where they can be monitored by staff for assistance and security. 3.2 - Library staff cannot control, and will make no attempt to 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, always questioning the validity of the information. 3.3 - Customers of the Library who use the Internet stations must sign a policy statement indicating the terms of access and the user's responsibility. Prospective users will sign an Internet Use Contract. Youth under 17 years of age will be required to have parental or guardian permission to access the Internet. Parents or a legal guardian must sign a policy statement granting access for their child to use the Internet station. While the Library will make every effort to ensure that the use of the Internet is consistent with the Mission statement, parents are encouraged to work closely with their children in selecting material that is consistent with personal and family values and boundaries as the Library assumes no responsibility in this regard. Parents and/or guardians and children are encouraged to read MY R ULES FOR ONL�NE SAFE�'Y(see Addendum A}. Another important set of helpful suggestions for a child's safety on the Internet is Child Safety on the In,formation Highway, reprinted and distributed with permission of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 3.4- The Library will establish procedures that will make Internet stations available on a first come, first served appointment basis. 3.5 - Internet use will be managed in a manner consistent with the Guidelines for Using the Internet Access Computers policy which has been adopted by the Friendswood Public Library Board and is posted in the Library. (See Addendum B). Note disclaimers for virus and access problems. 3.6 - Failure to use the Internet stations appropriately and responsibly, as defined in the Internet Usage Policy and signed policy statements, may result in revocation of Internet use privileges. INTERNET USE CONTRACT The undersigned acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the Friendswood Public Library Internet Usage Policy and the Guidelines for Using the Internet Access Computers. Library Customer: Signature Date Parent or Legal Guardian: Parent or Legal Guardian's Signature Date ADDENDUM A MY RULES FOR ONLINE SAFETY I will not give out personal information such as my address,telephone number,parent's work address/telephone, or the name and location of my school without my parent's permission. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable. I will never agree to get together with someone I"meet"online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring my mother or father along. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents. I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do, I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the online service. For further information on child safety,please call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-T�-LOST(1-800-843-5678). ADDENDUM B GUIDELINES FOR USING THE INTERNET ACCESS COMPUTERS 1. Patrons will need a cunent Friendswood Public Library card. The card must be marked with the sticker indicating that the patron has signed the Internet Use Contract. 2. The Internet access computers are normally available, subject to periodic maintenance, during the regular operating hours of the library. Access will end thirty(30)minutes prior to the library's closing time in order to facilitate any necessary printing. 3. Use of the Internet access computers is on a first-come, first-served basis. Those using the computers must sign in at the reference desk and will have a one hour time limit. Patrons may use the computers for up to one additional half hour if there are no other patrons waiting to use the computers. Patrons are encouraged to call the library to reserve an internet access time. The phone number is 281-482-7135. 4. The library will not provide e-mail (electronic mail)or FTP(file transfer protocol) services using the Library's Internet access computers. 5. Patrons will need to ask a reference librarian if they wish to save files. Patrons may use their own diskettes,but only after a reference librarian has scanned the diskette for viruses. (This is to minimize the potential for the introduction of a computer virus into the Internet access computers, which could then be spread to subsequent users of these computers). Warning: Although the library uses a virus-checker on the Internet access computer,this will not completely protect you from the chance of getting a virus. Software downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus and you need to have virus-checking software on your computer. The Friendswood Public Library is not responsible for damage to a customer's disk or computer, or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from patron use of the library's computers. 6. The library will provide paper for printing of the first ten(10)pages free of charge,but patrons are asked to pay 10 cents per page thereafter. The printing of any pages in color will cost 25 cents per each page. 7. Patrons may not be able to always go to the places on the Internet they may wish to visit. There are many reasons, among them: * there are too many Internet visitors and the host computer has closed or limited access from the "outside world" * the database or resource is licensed to a particular institution, in which case you would need to be affiliated with the institution in order to get access * the host computer has changed its address or closed down * the Library's Internet connection may be periodically and temporarily inoperable due to technical difficulties. Friendswood Public Library is not responsible for lack of access due to the reasons listed above and any others beyond our control. 8. Misuse of the Internet access computers will result in permanent loss of your computer privileges. Patrons are expected to exercise common sense principles in the use of the Internet, respecting the rights and sensitivities of others. It is not acceptable to use the Internet access to: 1. Degrade or disrupt the equipment or software 2. Vandalize the data of other users 3. Gain unauthorized access to other data banks or resowces 4. Invade the privacy of others 5. Violate Federal, State, or local laws or regulations 6. Install private software 9. Customer bears the liability of copyright infringement when downloading copyrighted material from the Internet. 10. While patrons are free to access whatever Internet sites they wish,the library must also respect the rights of other patrons not to be inadvertently exposed to material and images they may find personally unsuitable. Viewing of certa.in materials in the public library may be considered improper in time, place or manner. The Library reserves the right to end an Internet session at any time if it is creating a disturbance.