Internet Access

Colfax-Perry Township Public Library has the responsibility to establish and enforce rules and regulations concerning use of Internet accessible computers. These rules and regulations include but are not limited to the following:

  1. Youth under the age of 18 are required to have a parental/guardian permission form signed and on file in the Library to access the Internet. While the Library will make every effort to assure Library rules are not broken, parents are encouraged to work closely with their children in selecting material that is consistent with personal and family values and boundaries.
  2. Users must sign name, date, and time in/out in the Computer Log before using computers. The penalty for failing to sign the Computer Log will be loss of computer use privileges for a minimum of one (1) week, as determined by Library staff. Computer Log sheets will be filed each week and retained for a period of six (6) months.
  3. Users are limited to a total of two (2) hours computer use per day.
  4. Pre-scheduled Internet use takes precedence over walk-in users.
  5. Internet use is limited to 60 minutes, when other users are waiting.
  6. Library staff may, at any time, monitor the use of the computer.
  7. A maximum of two (2) users may be seated at one computer station.
  8. There is no charge for using a computer.
  9. Printing cost per page for color = $ 1.00; black print per page = $ .25.
  10. Patrons making use of the Library’s “hotspots,” wireless Internet access must provide their own laptop/notebook computer, wireless network cards, and wireless devices. Technical assistance from the Library staff is not available.

Wireless Network

Users of the wireless network are subject to the terms of the Library’s Internet Policy and Guidelines. The Library cannot guarantee privacy of use or security of data and connections. The Library is not responsible for any changes made to the patron’s computer settings. It is not possible to print directly from a wireless computer. The patron should save data to an external storage device (i.e. CD, memory stick), log onto a Public PC, and send the print job to the printer.
The Internet and its available resources contain a wide variety of material and opinions from varied points of view. Many sites contain valuable and timely information; however, other sites may contain material that is inaccurate, defamatory, illegal, or offensive to some people. The use of the Internet is a privilege and access is voluntary.

CIPA / Filtering

The Federal Children’s Internet protection Act (CIPA) requires filtering of all computers in the library to protect against visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and materials harmful to minors. While the Colfax-Perry Township Public Library attempts–through filtering at the server level–to prevent direct access to materials that would not be generally acceptable in a public library, it is technically impossible to prevent access to 100% of objectionable resources. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of parents and guardians to monitor and guide their own children in the use of the Internet.

While using computers and Internet services provided by Colfax-Perry Township Public Library, persons of all ages shall:

  • Not access, transmit, upload, download or distribute material in language that is pornographic, abusive, sexually explicit, obscene, harmful to minors, or otherwise inappropriate for a public Library environment;
  • Not engage in any illegal activities on the Internet;
  • Not vandalize, damage, or disable property of another individual or organization;
  • Not engage in hacking or attempts to otherwise compromise any computer or network system;
  • Use electronic mail and other forms of non-chat electronic communications only for purposes appropriate in a public library setting, and;
  • Not use chat or instant messenger sites if under 18 years of age and must show I.D. to Librarian on duty.

Minors (any person under 18 years of age) shall not disclose personal identification information on the Internet.

Inappropriate use of Library-provided computers and Internet services, as determined by Library staff, will result in the loss of computer use and access to Internet services, expulsion from the Library, or other disciplinary action.

Loss of Computer/Internet Privilege

1st offense – 1 month
2nd offense – 1 year
3rd offense – Permanent loss of privileges

Disclaimer

Colfax-Perry Township Public Library makes no warranties of any kind, expressed or implied regarding Internet access provided. The Library is not responsible for accuracy, nature, or quality of information gathered through library-provided Internet access.

In consideration for the privilege of using the Internet, users hereby release and hold harmless Colfax-Perry Township Public Library Director, Staff, Board of Trustees, and any institutions or organizations with which they are affiliated from any and all claims of any nature arising from it’s use or inability to use Internet computers.

The Library reserves the right to amend this policy at any time without notice to patrons.

Monitoring and Filtering

All Internet access at Colfax-Perry Township Public Library passes through a single proxy/firewall server located in a secure location. There is no direct connection to the Internet. Library Internet use is managed and tracked by security software.

Monitoring

Web page requests are recorded in a daily history file on the proxy server. It is possible to review activity within the previous 24 hours and see each web page or graphic element loaded in the Library system, along with information identifying each computer and time of access. This data can be cross-referenced with our Internet sign-in Log to identify individual users.

Filtering

Filtering software is configured to deny access to any web page or graphical element containing key words considered inappropriate in the URL (filename). In addition, all access to commonly-accessed (often accidental) pornography websites is prevented. It is not possible for patrons or staff using Library computers to bypass the firewall or circumvent these filters without direct access to the proxy server itself.