| Internet
and Computer Use Policy (#021)
Adopted: April 27, 1998 Effective: April
27, 1998
Revised: September 25, 2000
Revised: October 28, 2002
Kalamazoo Public Library provides access to
the Internet to meet public information needs. Kalamazoo Public
Library does not provide access to the Internet for the dissemination
of obscenity or child pornography. The Library is committed to preventing
minors from viewing obscene matter, sexually explicit matter harmful
to minors, and matter inappropriate for minors.
Unacceptable Uses of Computers and the Internet
The following are unacceptable uses of Library computers and the
Internet and constitute violations of this Policy:
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Uses that compromise the safety and security of minors.
Computer use by minors which may compromise their safety and
security when using email, chat rooms, and other forms of direct
electronic communications such as providing personal identification
information about the minor or others. This includes, but is
not limited to, giving out passwords, home addresses and telephone
numbers, social security numbers, credit card numbers, drivers
license numbers, or other personal information, and arranging
face-to-face meetings with a person the minor has “met”
only through the Internet without a parent’s or guardian’s
permission.
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Uses involving unauthorized access (“hacking”).
Obtaining or attempting to obtain unauthorized access to other
computers, networks, sites, or information systems, including
so-called “hacking”, and other unlawful activities
on line.
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Uses which may cause harm or damage to property or systems.
Uses which may cause harm to the Library or another computer
system, such as down-loading or transmitting a “worm,”
“virus,” “trojan horse,” “time
bomb” or other harmful form of programming or vandalism.
Using one’s own software programs on the Library’s
computers; altering the Library’s computer settings; damaging
or modifying the Library’s equipment or software.
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Uses that violate confidentiality, trade secret, or copyrights.
Uses that violate confidentiality of information, including
but not limited to the Michigan Library Privacy Act, being Public
Act No. 455 of 1982, as amended, and downloading or transmitting
trade secret information or copyrighted materials.
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Access by minors to material which is obscene, child pornography,
sexually explicit material harmful to minors, or inappropriate
matter for minors. Access by minors to material which is
obscene, child pornography as defined in 18 USC 2256(8), sexually
explicit material which is harmful to minors as defined in 47
USC(7)(G), or inappropriate matter for minors. Inappropriate
matter for minors is defined for purposes of this policy the
same as material harmful to minors in the Michigan Library Privacy
Act, being Public Act No. 455 of 1982, which is sexually explicit
matter which meets all of the following criteria:
| i. |
Considered as a whole, it appeals to
the prurient interest of minors as determined by contemporary
local community standards. |
| ii. |
It is patently offensive to contemporary
local community standards of adults as to what is suitable
for minors. |
| iii. |
Considered as a whole, it lacks serious
literary, artistic, political, educational, and scientific
value for minors. |
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Access by adults to material which is obscene or child pornography.
Access by adults to material which is obscene or constitutes
child pornography as defined in federal or state law or court
decisions, including but not limited to 18 USC 2256(8), and
viewing, transmitting, or downloading such materials or leaving
such materials on an unattended computer screen.
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Failing to respect the privacy of other Library computer
users. Failing to respect the privacy of other Library computer
users, including but not limited to, viewing or attempting to
view material being used or viewed by others.
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Failing to follow library policies, procedures and instructions.
Failing to follow Library policies and procedures in regard
to signing-up for computer use, failing to comply with computer
use time limitations, failing to follow the directions and instructions
of Library personnel.
Posting and Enforcement of Policy
Posting of policy and on-screen acknowledgement and agreement. This
policy shall be posted in conspicuous places near computer terminals
and shall be provided on-screen at the beginning of each computer
user’s session for each user to acknowledge and agree to prior
to using a Library computer.
Enforcement. A violation of this policy constitutes a violation
of Rule 14 of the Rules of Conduct for Library Use. As provided
in Rule 14, violations may result in the loss of computer privileges
as follows: 1st violation – 30 days, 2nd violation –
60 days, 3rd violation – up to one year.
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