Library Information

Internet Use Policy and Guidelines

passed by the Library Board on June 26, 2002

Purpose and Disclaimer

Madison Public Library provides access to a broad range of information resources, including those available through the Internet. We make this service available as part of our mission to serve people of all ages at all levels of need.

The Internet offers access to ideas, information and commentary from around the world that can be personally, professionally and culturally enriching. However, not all sources on the Internet are accurate, complete or up-to-date. The Library assumes responsibility only for the information provided on its web site. We do not monitor, have no control over, and do not accept responsibility for material in other sources on the Internet.

Madison Public Library tries to balance the rights of users to access different information resources with the rights of users to work in a public environment free from harassing sounds and visuals.

Responsibilities of Users

Users should be aware that they are working in a public environment shared by people of all ages and sensibilities. Users should refrain from the use of internet sounds and visuals which might disrupt the ability of other library patrons to use the library and its resources. Library users are individually responsible for their own access, use, or dissemination of information via the Internet in the Library. In the case of minors, such use is a joint responsibility of the user and the parent or guardian.

Choosing and Evaluating Sources:

• Users should evaluate Internet sources just as they do print materials, questioning the accuracy and completeness of the information.
• Users must use the Internet at their own risk, realizing that beyond the Library's web site they may encounter material they find offensive.

Supervising Children's Use:

• Children eight and under must use the Internet with their accompanying adult.
• Parents and children are encouraged to start their exploration of the Internet with the Library's web site, especially the Kids and Families section. There they will find many sites for children, chosen by librarians, including those from Madison Public Library. Madison Public Library librarians provide assistance in determining search strategies and evaluating sites.
• Madison Public Library supports the right for each family to decide what is appropriate Internet use for their children. Use of the Internet presents an opportunity for each family to discuss sites they feel appropriate for use by their children.
• Parents, guardians, and caregivers are expected to instruct minors to never give out personal information (name, address, password, telephone number, school, credit card number) on the Internet. This includes chat rooms, newsgroups and electronic mail. Before giving out any personal information via e-mail, minors need to be confident that they are dealing with someone who is known and trusted by them and their parents or guardians.
• For more information on children and the Internet see Child Safety on the Information Highway produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Interactive Service Organization.
• Computers in the Youth Services Department are for use by children and young teens through age fourteen, their parents and careproviders.

Legal and Acceptable Uses:

People may only use the Library's computers for legal purposes.

Examples of unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to the following:

• Harassment of other users (see Madison Public Library Policy 3.35 - "Inappropriate Behavior and/or Illegal Conduct");
• Harassment of other users or violation of their privacy;
• Libeling, slandering or maliciously offending other users;
• Violation of copyright laws or software licensing agreements;
• Obstruction of other people's work by overuse of system resources;
  
• Attempting to crash, degrade performance of or gain unauthorized access to the Library's or other computer systems and networks;
• Damaging equipment, software or data belonging to the Library or other users.
• Exposing children to harmful materials. Sec. 948.11 of the Wisconsin Statutes, among other things, makes it a crime to expose children to pictures or images of nudity, sexually explicit conduct, or physical torture or brutality that appeal to the prurient, shameful or morbid interests of children, are patently offensive to prevailing adult standards regarding materials suitable for children, or lack serious literary, artistic, political, scientific or educational value for children.

Violations may result in restrictions on library use. Illegal uses of computers may also be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.

Copyright

  U.S. copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of fair use. Users may not copy or distribute electronic materials (including electronic mail, text, images, programs or data) without the explicit permission of the copyright holder. Any responsibility for any consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user; the Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from such use.

The Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility arising from access to or use of information obtained through its electronic information systems, or any consequences thereof.

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