Amended May 23, 2007.

Internet users ages 18 and older must confirm that they have read, understand, and will comply with the Lebanon Public Library (LPL) Computer and Internet Acceptable Use Policy. The purpose of Library-provided Internet access is to facilitate communications in support of research and education. Access is a privilege, not a right. Access entails responsibility.

The Library makes no warranties of any kind, neither expressed nor implied, for the Internet access it is providing. The Library will not be responsible for accuracy, nature or quality of information stored or quality of information gathered through Library-provided Internet access. The Library will not be responsible for unauthorized financial obligations resulting from Library-provided access to the Internet.

Any / all computer use may be suspended or revoked by LPL administration at any time, without prior notice or hearing, for abusive conduct or violations of the conditions set forth in this document. LPL will be the sole arbiter of what constitutes abusive conduct or violation of the LPL acceptable use policy. In cases of Internet Policy abuse, patrons / guests will receive only one (1) warning, resulting in notes placed on the patron / guest’s record; the second incident will result in the loss of Internet privileges permanently. Any person who refuses to comply with these guidelines will be asked to leave the library premises.

Section A: Inappropriate Internet Conduct

In accordance with IC 36-12-1-12, the board of a public library shall adopt a policy concerning the appropriate use of the Internet by library patrons. Users may not utilize workstations to:

• Access, upload, download, display, or distribute pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit language. Display of obscene materials in a public place is a Class D Felony in Indiana.
• Vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another individual
• Access another individual’s materials, information, or files without permission
• Violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property of another individual or organization without permission
• Conduct unlawful or malicious activities such as hacking
• Disrupt other users
• Access sexually explicit material
• Misrepresent oneself / LPL
• Violate copyright laws to copy software - any person who copies software programs will have library privileges revoked. Misuse of services or equipment for the purpose of copying software is a violation of copyright laws.
• The following uses of the public computers or Internet are Prohibited as they do not fall within our guidelines:

• Commercial or For-Profit Purposes
• Product Advertising
• Political Lobbying

Section B: General Guidelines of Usage

• Computer and Internet users are required to register at the circulation desk.
• Patrons who owe the Library more than $5.00 may not use the computers unless payment is made to their account.
• While the library staff will assist whenever possible, they will not teach patrons how to use the computer.
Exceptions include times when the Library is offering formal computer classes. Refer to the library’s circulating and reference books and materials for help.
• Computers will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. No reserves will be permitted.
• To prevent long waits for our computers, especially during busy evenings and weekends, users have one visit per day with a time limit of 1 hour.
• The computer workstations will close 15 minutes prior to the library closing.
• The Library does not offer e-mail accounts.
• The Printer is located behind the Circulation Desk. Computer copies are $.10 per page. Patrons are responsible for payment of all prints made. The staff on duty will assist you in retrieving your copies.
• Certain sites are not always open when you seek them. The reason may be that:

• The site has too many visitors or has limited access available
• The resource database is licensed to an institution and you must be affiliated with that institution to gain access
• The host computer has changed its address or closed down
• The library’s Internet connection may be temporarily inoperable due to technical difficulties.

Section C: For Those Users Under 18

The Library offers Internet access to assist in establishing educational and informational objectives. Children 13 years and under must use the computers in the Children’s Department. Computer use is limited to 1 hour. Good behavior is expected online as well as in other areas of the Library. Access by minors to inappropriate matter (see Section A.) is prohibited.

Internet Child Safety Information: A brochure distributed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Child Safety on the Information Highway, is available online.

Even though the Children’s computers are filtered, parents and guardians of minors are ultimately responsible for setting and conveying standards for children concerning Internet usage. Parents should be aware that some material accessible via the Internet might contain items that are illegal, sexually explicit, defamatory, inaccurate, and objectionable. It is possible to purchase goods and services via the Internet and as a guardian or parent you are responsible for those financial obligations.

A parent or guardian of each child under 18 must sign that they have read, understand, and will comply with the Lebanon Public Library (LPL) Internet & Computer Use Policy. The parent/guardian must choose one of the following parental consent options:

• 2. “I request permission for the minor child to have access to the Internet at the Lebanon Public Library.”
• 4. “I request that no access to the Internet at the Lebanon Public Library be granted to the minor.”

The Library Board reserves the right to revise this Internet Access Policy at any given time.