About the Library

Internet Safety Policy

Recognizing that the Internet represents an important and vital electronic resource that allows access to ideas, information and commentary from around the world, the Henrietta Public Library is pleased to provide Internet access to Library users as part of its collection and resources. The Henrietta Public Library also provides wireless access to patrons who have their own, correctly configured, laptop computers.

The Internet offers access to a wealth of excellent material. However, because the Internet provides easy access to a diverse array of resources, the Library does not endorse the viewpoints nor can it vouch for the accuracy, authority, timeliness or usefulness of all the information found on it. The Henrietta Public Library has no control over the content of sites on the Internet.  Since not all sites on the Internet are accurate, current or complete, users must exercise critical judgment to evaluate the validity and appropriateness of the information found.  For this reason the Library offers a home page with recommended sites selected by librarians using standard evaluation criteria for electronic sources.

The Library offers a home page with recommended sites selected by librarians using standard evaluation criteria for electronic sources. Since not all sites on the Internet are accurate, current or complete, users must exercise critical judgment to evaluate the validity and appropriateness of the information found.

The Library’s policy shall not relieve parents and legal guardians of their ultimate responsibility to monitor and guide their own children’s use of all library resources, including the Internet. Parents are encouraged to take an active role in their children’s use of the Internet and to talk about their personal values and expectations for their children’s use of this resource. Federal law has been implemented to provide a Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) which mandates filtering on all library Internet terminals. HPL filters pornography. This filter is site specific and does not block research sites or information. If you believe access is unjustly denied, please contact the Library Director. An additional part of CIPA of which parents will want to be aware is that minors are not permitted to disclose any personal information when using e-mail or visiting chat rooms or using any other electronic communications.

General Rules and Limits regarding Internet access and computer:

1. Use of the Internet or library computers for activities that violate local, state or federal laws is prohibited. This includes activities such as committing fraud, hacking, or spreading libel or slander.
2. Patrons are cautioned that the library’s Internet is not a secure medium and all transactions, files and communications may be subject to unauthorized access by third parties. This is particularly true of people who are using the wireless network.The library however, will not release information on the use of electronic resources by members of the public except as required by law.
3. It is the responsibility of all users of electronic resources at the Henrietta Public Library to respect intellectual property rights. Copyright restrictions may exist for individual electronic resources. Patrons may only make copies allowable by copyright laws or licensed software agreements.
4. Users of the library’s computers and related peripheral equipment are expected to abide by the rules of the library, including the Rules of Conduct. Copies of these rules are available upon request at the reference desk. In accordance with the authority of the Henrietta Public Library Board of Trustees, persons who do not abide by these rules may be barred from the library, prohibited from using computers or other library equipment and/or prosecuted for illegal activities.
5. The Henrietta Public Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility arising from access to or use of information obtained through its electronic resources or any consequences thereof.
6. Library staff members are not able to provide in-depth computer training but will answer questions and, as time allows, help users locate and use resources on the Internet or on other electronic resources in the library.
7. To provide the opportunity for the maximum number of people to access library Internet workstations, Henrietta Public Library shall establish daily time limits for Internet access as part of its Internet procedures.
8. Patrons are reminded that the library’s computer terminals are located in public areas which are shared with library users and staff of all ages, backgrounds and sensibilities. Individuals are expected to consider this diversity and respect the sensibilities of others when accessing potentially offensive information or images.
9. At each Internet session, users shall be required to log-in using their own last name and library card number. Internet access cards will be issued to those patrons who do not have a valid library card.
10. Users shall not:
    • install, delete or modify library hardware or software
    • move or change the arrangement of library computers and attached equipment
    • download software from the Internet onto the library’s computers
    • use the network to make unauthorized entry into other computational, information or communication services or resources
    • make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software
    • make any attempt to cause degradation of system performance
    • misuse library computers or other equipment and resource
11. It is our policy to maintain:
• appropriate level of filtering at the juvenile Internet terminal located in the Children's area.
• a parental consent for minors who wish to use the Internet
• compliance with CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) and NCIPA
  (Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act) requirements
• legal restrictions, limitations or interpretations imposed by courts
  of competent jurisdiction, or other decisions made by government authorities
  
• an atmosphere conducive to the best use of its resources. To this
  end, an effort will be made to balance the rights of users to access information resources with the rights of users and staff to work in a public setting free from disruptive sounds and visuals.
  
12. Due to the current physical configuration of the Henrietta Public Library, we cannot guarantee that children would not be exposed to age inappropriate materials on an unfiltered Internet terminal. Therefore, the library staff will not remove the filter except when it is determined by approved procedure that the site has been filtered in error.

Adopted June 12, 2002
Third Revision May 2009
David Pogue, President
Patricia Bernhard, Director, HPL Henrietta Public Library