Internet Policy
Adopted: May 21, 1997
Revised: June 2010

1. Internet access is available at all times that the library is open on a first come, first served basis.
2. The patron’s current PCPLS library card in good standing is required to use a computer.
   Fines must be less than $2.00. Non-resident cards for Internet use will be issued with proper identification. Visitors may request a guest pass.
   
3. Persons 5th grade and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to use the Internet computers. Persons 6th grade through age 17 may use the Internet computer after a parent or guardian signs the Internet Use Disclaimer.
   
4. Each user is limited to a maximum of 1 hour per day of use unless otherwise permitted by the supervisor on duty and no one is waiting to use the terminal. The library cannot guarantee a full hour of Internet use in the event of equipment failure or library closing.
   
5. Use is limited to one person at a time unless it is an instructional situation. Instructional sessions are also limited to a maximum of 1 hour.
   
6. The Internet computer equipment and software must be used as installed. Users are not permitted to modify the installed hardware/software or introduce a virus to the system.
   
7. All printing must be completed within the allocated 1 hour of use time. Printing charges are 10 cents per page for black and white, $1.00 per page for color. Patrons are responsible for all pages printed.
   
8. Library staff cannot provide in-depth training concerning the Internet or personal
   computer use.
   
9. PCPLS is not responsible for damage to a patron’s removable media or equipment, for any loss of data, or any liability that may occur as a result of using the library’s
   computers.
   

Unacceptable use of computer resources and services includes but is not limited to:

1. Interfering with or disrupting other computer users, services, or equipment.
   
2. Violating any local, state, or federal statute including copyright laws.
   
3. Malicious, threatening, harassing, or obscene behavior. Obscene behavior includes public display of obscene or pornographic materials on computer screen or in hard copy.
   

FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THIS POLICY WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF INTERNET
PRIVILEGES: WARNING (1ST OFFENSE), 6 MONTHS (2ND OFFENSE), 1 YEAR (3RD OFFENSE), OR PERMANENTLY.

Philosophy
In response to advances in technology and the changing needs of the community, the Porter County Public Library System endeavors to develop collections, resources, and services that meet the cultural, informational, recreational, and educational needs of the library’s diverse community. It is within this context that PCPLS offers access to the Internet. The Porter County Public Library System does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. The Internet and its available resources contain a wide variety of material and opinions from varied points of view. Some sites accessible via the Internet may contain material that is inaccurate, defamatory, illegal, or potentially offensive to some people. In offering Internet access, library staff cannot control access points which often change rapidly and unpredictably as new computers connect and existing computers add or delete information. Since it is technically impossible to prevent access to all resources that might be objectionable,
users are hereby notified that they are responsible for the access points they reach. PARENTS OF MINOR CHILDREN MUST ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR
CHILDREN’S USE OF THE INTERNET THROUGH THE LIBRARY’S CONNECTION.
We firmly believe that the valuable information available on the worldwide network far
outweighs the possibility that users may procure material that is not consistent with the goals of PCPLS.

Virus Warning
Patrons may download information from the Internet to removable media. The library has
removable media available for a nominal fee. Information downloaded may contain a virus and patrons need to have virus protection software on their own computer. PCPLS is not responsible for damage to a patron’s removable media or computer, for any loss of data, or any liability that may occur as a result of using the library’s computers.

Internet Access Limitations
Patrons may not always be able to go to the places on the Internet they want to visit.
There are many reasons; among them:

1. There are too many Internet visitors and the host computer has closed or limited access from the “outside world.”
   
2. The database or resource is licensed to a particular institution, in which case you would need to be affiliated with the institution in order to gain access.
   
3. The host computer has changed its address or has closed down.
   
4. The library’s Internet connection may be periodically or temporarily inoperable due to technical difficulties.