At their last meeting, the Library Board approved a revision of the Internet Use Policy (see link below). Perhaps the most significant change is the removal of the parental permission requirement for Internet access for those under 14. We do not require permission for access to movies, books, or any other kind of information or resource we provide. This change makes library Internet access consistent with access to these other resources and more consistent with the idea that -in a choice between free access and personal choice vs suppression of choice- public libraries ought to err on the side of access and choice for all patrons.
Key points for staff
- The Internet permission section has been removed from the juvenile application form
- Staff are not to bring up the issue of Internet access upon registration (in the same manner that we do not raise the issue of minors checking out R-rated movies).
- Parents/guardians may still request that children under 18 be barred from Internet access
- Children previously barred from Internet access will remain barred
- The “Games Only” card will become a “Computers Only” card and will be granted full access to resources available on our Internet PCs
- The Library still utilizes software which blocks sites that contain child pornography, obscenities and content harmful to minors. This filtering software, however, is not guaranteed to block all inappropriate content
- The “Games Only” PCs will be re-configured as regular Internet PCs
http://catalog.johnstonlibrary.com/staff/drupal/index.php?q=filedepot_download/1430/10
A note on patrons circumventing Internet-related policies and procedures
Staff are not expected to vigorously monitor computer use for potential breaches of the Library’s Internet access rules. In the course of regular work, however, if staff become aware of such violations -use of another’s card to get around time or parental restrictions, for example- the patron should be confronted and an incident report filed. Persistent violations will result in disciplinary action taken by the Director or Assistant Director.