Internet and Online Access Policy

Purpose

The Brigham City Library Board has established this policy to ensure appropriate use of internet resources within the Library and to meet all applicable federal state and local laws including Utah Administrative Code Rule R458-2, UCA § 9-7-215 and § 9-7-216; and the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

Description of Service

The Library provides workstations and unencrypted internet access, including a wireless connection, for public access to the internet. Access to electronic resources, including those on the internet, is a privilege and requires compliance with this policy and responsibility on the part of the user. By using the service the patron agrees to comply with this Policy and understands that misuse could result in civil or criminal penalties. The Library is not responsible for any use, damage or misuse.

1. Rules of Use

Patrons are prohibited from:

1. accessing sites that contain child pornography (UCA § 76-5b-103);
2. sending, receiving, or displaying any text or graphics that may be considered pornographic, obscene or harmful to minors (UCA § 76-10-1201;1206);
3. online gambling (UCA § 76-10-1102);
4. falsely representing their identity;
5. unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal information regarding minors;
6. attempting to modify or gain access to Library files, passwords, systems, hardware, or data;
7. seeking unauthorized access to any portion of any computer system;
8. altering or attempting to alter programs, components, settings, databases, or systems;
9. probing, pinging, or hacking any computer system;
10. interfering with other patrons using computer workstations or wi-fi;
11. making copies of copyrighted material, software, or data, except as allowed by law;
12. engaging in any activity that is defined as illegal by federal or state statute or in violation of this policy.

2. PersonalDevices and Use of the Library's Wireless Internet

1. Wireless internet access is available free of charge for use at the Brigham City Public Library. Wireless internet users:
   1. are subject to the same commercial filtering software used on library equipment;
   2. are subject to this policy; and
   3. must keep electrical cords out of walkways.

3. Access and Filtering

1. It is the sole responsibility of the parent, guardian, or adult caregiver to set guidelines for their children and to monitor their child’s access to information available on the internet, just as they must with printed or visual materials.
2. The Library shall use commercial filtering software to block sites that may be considered obscene, pornographic or harmful to minors, in accordance with UCA § 9-7-215 and the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Additionally, sites may be blocked for the security of Brigham City and Brigham City Library computer systems. While it is the intent of the Library to block all materials listed above, the Library is not responsible for information that is not blocked.
3. Due to the nature of the library’s commercial filtering software, the Library Board is unable to authorize Library staff to disable the technology protection measures and filters on a single workstation at the request of an adult patron for the purpose of enabling internet access for research or other lawful purposes (UCA § 9-7-215). For sites patrons would like to suggest be excluded from the Library’s filter, patrons may make a request. The site information shall be given to Library staff and the request shall be routed to the City for processing.

4. Privacy and Policy Violations

1. Library internet access is made available via a network shared among public internet users and is unencrypted.
2. Misuse of Library computers, internet access, or other policy violations may result in immediate suspension or permanent loss of Library privileges associated with the policy violation.
3. The Library staff is authorized to observe and monitor the use of internet. In the event a policy violation is observed, enforcement may include, but is not limited to:
   1. patron education regarding policies or computer use;
   2. appropriate notification to the patron when the violation occurs;
   3. suspension of privileges according to the guidelines set forth in the Library’s Procedures and Guidelines;
   4. reporting the potential violation to the Brigham City Police Department for criminal investigation.

5. Appeals and Requests for Reinstatement of Library Privileges

Any patron having had Library privileges suspended or terminated for violations of this policy may appeal staff decisions or request a reinstatement of those privileges as outlined in the Library’s Appeals and Requests for Reinstatement of Privileges Policy.

6. Patron Concerns

Patrons may report any concerns about possible violations of the Policy to Library staff. If a policy violation did occur, staff may ask the patron to fill out a form in case further investigation or actions need to be taken. Staff will then take appropriate action as outlined in the Library’s Procedures and Guidelines.

7. Policy Administration

The Library staff will be instructed during in-service training at least once per year about the guidelines to follow in enforcing the Internet and Online Access Policy. This policy will be reviewed by the Library Board every three years.

The Internet and Online Access Policy will be posted at computer stations for public review and shall be available on the Library’s website, and upon request at the circulation desk.