hinsdale public library internet access policy

8/8/2019 Hinsdale Public Library Internet Access Policy

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Approved 2/23/10

Hinsdale Public LibraryInternet Access and Computer Use Policy

Policy PurposeThe Hinsdale Public Library Board of Trustees has established the following

policy to guide the provision of access to the Internet and public computers to Librarypatrons. The Boards intent is to provide access that fairly and effectively serves thediverse needs of the citizens of the Village of Hinsdale. Offering free public access to theInternet is consistent with the Librarys mission of providing cultural, informationaland educational support for the community, and the Library's policy in this regardreflects the principles articulated in the American Library Association's Library Bill ofRights, the associated Access to Electronic Information, Services and Networksstatement and the Freedom To Read Statement (appended).

Internet Access

The Hinsdale Public Library provides its patrons with free, unfiltered access tothe Internet via public computers and its wireless network. In accordance with theLibrary's Reference Service Policy, the Library will guide users toward accurate anduseful resources on the Internet upon request and and, in anticipation of need, willstrive to provide useful links on the Librarys website.

Patrons using the Internet at the Hinsdale Public Library must agree to theconditions of the online Internet User Agreement (appended) each time they access the

Internet from the Librarys public computers or wireless network. Failure to complywith the terms of the User Agreement may result in the loss of computer privileges and,in the case of damage to the Library's equipment, fines and legal action.

Because all Internet access at the Library is unfiltered, children under 16 years ofage must have explicit permission from a parent or legal guardian before accessing theInternet from the Librarys public computers. Parents may grant permission bycompleting the Internet Permission Form (appended) at the Circulation Services Desk,or parents may choose instead to be present and give oral permission each time theirchild wishes to use the Internet. By granting permission for a child to access the Internetat the Library, either orally or in writing, parents agree that the child's use of theInternet is subject to the terms and conditions of the Library's Internet User Agreement(appended). Children without Internet permission are allowed to use productivityapplications and games on computers in their age-appropriate area.


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Approved 2/23/10

Computer Use

Computers are available on a first-come-first-served basis to all patrons holdinga valid library card or guest pass but may be reserved in advance by Hinsdalecardholders.

HPL offers public computers in three different areas of the Library. Thecomputers in the Reference and Adult Services area are available for use by individuals12 years old and older. The computers in the Teen Lounge are available for use byindividuals aged 12 to 19. The computers in the Youth and Young Adult Services areaare available for use by children and teens as well as adults accompanying youngchildren in the Library.

Fees

No fees are charged to access the Internet or to use the Library's publiccomputers. Fees are charged for storage devices to use in downloading information

from the Internet and for printing.

Policy Review and Revision

This policy will be reviewed by the Board at least every three years.


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Information retrieved or utilized electronically is constitutionally protectedunless determined otherwise by a court of law with appropriate jurisdiction. Theserights extend to minors as well as adults (Free Access to Libraries for Minors; Access toResources and Services in the School Library Media Program; Access for Children andYoung Adults to Nonprint Materials).2

Libraries should use technology to enhance, not deny, access to information.Users have the right to be free of unreasonable limitations or conditions set by libraries,librarians, system administrators, vendors, network service providers, or others.Contracts, agreements, and licenses entered into by libraries on behalf of their usersshould not violate this right. Libraries should provide library users the training andassistance necessary to find, evaluate, and use information effectively.

Users have both the right of confidentiality and the right of privacy. The libraryshould uphold these rights by policy, procedure, and practice in accordancewith Privacy: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.

Equity of Access

The Internet provides expanding opportunities for everyone to participate in theinformation society, but too many individuals face serious barriers to access. Librariesplay a critical role in bridging information access gaps for these individuals. Librariesalso ensure that the public can find content of interest and learn the necessary skills touse information successfully.

Electronic information, services, and networks provided directly or indirectly bythe library should be equally, readily and equitably accessible to all library users.American Library Association policies oppose the charging of user fees for theprovision of information services by libraries that receive their major support from

public funds (50.3 Free Access to Information; 53.1.14 Economic Barriers to InformationAccess; 60.1.1 Minority Concerns Policy Objectives; 61.1 Library Services for the PoorPolicy Objectives). All libraries should develop policies concerning access to electronicinformation that are consistent with ALA's policy statements, including EconomicBarriers to Information Access: An Interpretation of the Library Bill ofRights, Guidelines for the Development and Implementation of Policies, Regulationsand Procedures Affecting Access to Library Materials, Services and Facilities,and Resolution on Access to the Use of Libraries and Information by Individuals withPhysical or Mental Impairment.

Information Resources and Access

Providing connections to global information, services, and networks is not thesame as selecting and purchasing materials for a library collection. Determining theaccuracy or authenticity of electronic information may present special problems. Someinformation accessed electronically may not meet a library's selection or collectiondevelopment policy. It is, therefore, left to each user to determine what is


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appropriate. Parents and legal guardians who are concerned about their children's useof electronic resources should provide guidance to their own children.

Libraries, acting within their mission and objectives, must support access toinformation on all subjects that serve the needs or interests of each user, regardless ofthe user's age or the content of the material. In order to preserve the cultural record and

to prevent the loss of information, libraries may need to expand their selection orcollection development policies to ensure preservation, in appropriate formats, ofinformation obtained electronically. Libraries have an obligation to provide access togovernment information available in electronic format.

Libraries and librarians should not deny or limit access to electronic informationbecause of its allegedly controversial content or because of the librarian's personalbeliefs or fear of confrontation. Furthermore, libraries and librarians should not denyaccess to electronic information solely on the grounds that it is perceived to lack value.

Publicly funded libraries have a legal obligation to provide access toconstitutionally protected information. Federal, state, county, municipal, local, or

library governing bodies sometimes require the use of Internet filters or othertechnological measures that block access to constitutionally protected information,contrary to the Library Bill of Rights (ALA Policy Manual, 53.1.17, Resolution on theUse of Filtering Software in Libraries). If a library uses a technological measure thatblocks access to information, it should be set at the least restrictive level in order tominimize the blocking of constitutionally protected speech. Adults retain the right toaccess all constitutionally protected information and to ask for the technologicalmeasure to be disabled in a timely manner. Minors also retain the right to accessconstitutionally protected information and, at the minimum, have the right to ask thelibrary or librarian to provide access to erroneously blocked information in a timely

manner. Libraries and librarians have an obligation to inform users of these rights andto provide the means to exercise these rights.3

Electronic resources provide unprecedented opportunities to expand the scope ofinformation available to users. Libraries and librarians should provide access toinformation presenting all points of view. The provision of access does not implysponsorship or endorsement. These principles pertain to electronic resources no lessthan they do to the more traditional sources of information in libraries (Diversity inCollection Development).1. Martin v. Struthers, 319 U.S. 141 (1943); Lamont v. Postmaster General, 381 U.S. 301(1965); Susan Nevelow Mart, The Right to Receive Information (PDF), 95 Law LibraryJournal 2 (2003).2. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, 393 U.S. 503(1969); Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District No. 26 v. Pico, 457U.S. 853, (1982); American Amusement Machine Association v. Teri Kendrick, 244 F.3d954 (7th Cir. 2001); cert.denied, 534 U.S. 994 (2001)3. "If some libraries do not have the capacity to unblock specific Web sites or to disablethe filter or if it is shown that an adult user's election to view constitutionally protectedInternet material is burdened in some other substantial way, that would be the subject


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for an as-applied challenge, not the facial challenge made in this case." United States, etal. v. American Library Association (PDF), 539 U.S. 194 (2003) (Justice Kennedy,concurring).Adopted January 24, 1996, by the ALA Council; amended January 19, 2005.


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Freedom to Read Statement

1. It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widestdiversity of views and expressions, including those that are unorthodox or unpopularwith the majority.

2. Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea orpresentation they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them toestablish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determiningwhat should be published or circulated.3. It is contrary to the public interest for publishers or librarians to bar access towritings on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author.4. There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confineadults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts ofwriters to achieve artistic expression.5. It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept with any expression the

prejudgment of a label characterizing it or its author as subversive or dangerous.6. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the peoplesfreedom to read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groupsseeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large.7. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to thefreedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thoughtand expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, they can demonstratethat the answer to a "bad" book is a good one, the answer to a "bad" idea is a good one.Based on the Freedom to Read Statement adopted June 25, 1953 and revised January 28, 1972, January 16,1991, July 12, 2000 by the ALA Council and the AAP Freedom to Read Committee.

hinsdale public library internet access policy

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