FILTER STATEMENT

All Stanislaus County Library computers are filtered, in accordance with federal requirements to receive funding.

POLICY ON PUBLIC USE OF THE INTERNET

To fulfill its mission of providing public access to information of all types in a wide range of formats, the Stanislaus County Library provides access to Internet resources. In doing so, the library assumes responsibility only for the information provided on its home pages. Users should remember that the library is a public place and some sites may not be suitable for public viewing. In addition, users of the Internet may not unreasonably curtail the use of the library by others.

The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national, and international sources of information. However, some information found on the Internet may be inaccurate, incomplete, dated, or offensive to some individuals. Information consumers must evaluate the validity and appropriateness of information found.

CHOOSING AND EVALUATING SOURCES

The Internet is a series of computer networks leading customers to highly diverse information content. Library patrons use it at their own risk. The library filters all public computers in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act.  In choosing sources to link to library Web pages, the library follows its material selection guidelines. Beyond this, the library does not monitor or control information accessible through the Internet and is not responsible for its content, for changes in content of the sources to which the library web pages link, or for the content of sources accessed through secondary links.

ACCESS BY MINORS

Parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for deciding what library resources are appropriate for their own children. Parents or legal guardians should guide their children in use of the Internet and inform them about materials they should not use. The library has created a home page for children, which provides content and links to other Web sites that parents or legal guardians may find appropriate for their children.

Safety guidelines to consider for the safety and security of minors, as well as all Internet users:

• Never give out identifying information such as home address, school name, or telephone number. When you post messages online use a nickname.
• Let parents or guardians decide whether personal information such as age, marital status, or financial information should be revealed.
• Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone via the computer without a parents’ or guardians’ approval.
• Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or make one uncomfortable.
• Report an incident to local law enforcement or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) if one becomes aware of the transmission of child pornography or other inappropriate online behavior.
• Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.
• Remember that everything one reads may not be true.

See http://www.safekids.com/ for more information on children and general Internet safety.

RULES GOVERNING USE

Due to the limited resources available for provision of public access to the Internet, the library may set limits, for example, on use of large files of still or moving images or sound, or on downloading files in any medium. The library also reserves the right to limit the amount of time an individual use can devote to a single session.

Users may not:

• Use the network to make unauthorized entry into other computational, informational or communication services or resources.
• Distribute unsolicited advertising.
• Invade the privacy of others.
• Make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software.
• Engage in any activity that is harassing or defamatory.
• Use the Internet for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other rights of third parties, or in a manner inconsistent with the library's tax-exempt status or its proper operation.

Violations may result in a loss of access. Unlawful activities will be dealt with in an appropriate manner.

Date Developed: June 1997
Date Revised: July 2, 2009