Whitinsville Social Library

WHITINSVILLE SOCIAL LIBRARY

INTERNET USE POLICY

Adopted Aug. 28, 2002

The Whitinsville Social Library provides access to the Internet to meet the needs of its patrons and augment its collection. We acknowledge that while much of the information on the internet is educationally, professionally and culturally enriching, there may be information available that to some may be offensive or illegal. The Whitinsville Social Library assumes no responsibility for said content.

The Whitinsville Social Library endorses the ALA Library Bill of Rights, its interpretations, and in particular as it applies to access to electronic information, so the library does not control or monitor information available on the Internet. Parents and/or guardians, not the library, are responsible for monitoring the content of sites visited by children. Those whom want more control for themselves and/or their children can visit the CWMARS homepage at for Internet Safety Tips.

The Whitinsville Social Library expects its patrons to abide by the policy set down for use of the library’s Internet Access Computer. This policy strictly prohibits:

*Use of the Internet for illegal activities;

*Using the Internet in violation of MGL 272:31 (The Harmful to Minors Statute);

*Unauthorized copying of copyright-protected material in any form;

*The transmission of junk-mail (spam) of any type;

*The transmission of threatening, harassing, defamatory or obscene materials;

*Unauthorized access to remote computer systems (hacking);

*Displaying images inappropriate for a public building frequented by children;

*Monopolizing the computer by participating in such activities as real-time

chat rooms or day trading.

Individuals will be limited to 15 minute sessions if others are waiting to use the computer. A fee of 20 cents will be charged per page printed out.

The Whitinsville Social Library is committed to patron privacy and therefore does not require personal information to use the Public Access Internet Computer – nor does the library keep a permanent record of searches performed or sites visited. In accordance with MGL78:7, “That part of the record that reveals the identity and intellectual pursuits of person using such library shall not be a public record.” However, this policy will not prevent library staff from notifying local authorities if the library’s computer is being used for illegal activities.

This policy has been drafted to comply with the Internet Use Policy of CWMARS, the library’s internet provider.