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Internet Access and Safety Policy

Approved by the Lawrence Public Library Board of Trustees, September 20, 1999.

Revised September 21, 2000; August 15, 2001; September 16, 2002; November 18, 2002; November 15, 2004; November 21, 2005; and January 20, 2009.

General Statement on Internet Access

The Lawrence Public Library provides public access to the Internet in support of its mission to provide and promote informational, intellectual, and cultural resources, and to affirm its commitment to the principles of intellectual freedom as expressed in the Library Bill of Rights. Internet resources are provided equally to all patrons. Internet users are expected to comply with the United States copyright law, United States and Kansas obscenity statutes, and all other applicable laws and library guidelines. The Internet contains an extraordinarily diverse collection of information resources and the Library cannot be held responsible for its content.

Library Guidelines for Use of the Internet

The Library supports only Library-owned computer equipment. Installing or attempting to install any program on Library workstations is prohibited.

The Library shall not be responsible for any unauthorized or illegal activity conducted over the Internet at Library workstations, nor shall it be responsible for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from files or programs downloaded from the Internet.

Library staff may establish limits on the length and number of sessions available to individual users.

Some Internet workstations may be reserved for specific uses.

Use of Technology Protection Measures

The Library employs technology protection measures (filtering software) in an effort to block access to sexually-explicit material, obscene material, child pornography, and content harmful to minors, or materials containing sexual exploitation of children. However, this technology is not completely reliable. The Library cannot be held responsible for prohibited information that may be displayed or for non-prohibited information that may be blocked.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Library staff will not disclose customers’ use of the Library with respect to information sought or received, including Internet use, except pursuant to a valid court order or subpoena authorized under federal, state or local law, or as a result of unacceptable use as described below.

Unacceptable Use

Using Library computer workstations in an unacceptable manner is prohibited. Unacceptable use includes, but is not limited to:

  • Accessing or attempting to access secure data in an unauthorized manner, including so-called “hacking”
  • Damaging or attempting to damage computer equipment or software
  • Interfering with systems operations, integrity or security
  • Sending harassing messages to other computer users
  • Violating copyright laws and software licensing agreements
  • Engaging in activities deemed unlawful according to local, state and federal law

Patrons shall not access or exhibit inappropriate matter on Library Internet workstations.

Inappropriate matter shall include sexually-explicit material, obscene material, child pornography and content harmful to minors, or materials containing sexual exploitation of children, as defined by Kansas Statutes and the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

Specifically:

  • Patrons shall not access or exhibit obscene material on computer workstations. Disseminating or exhibiting obscene material is a crime in the state of Kansas. (See K.S.A. 21-4301 as amended.)
  • Patrons shall not access material or computer-generated images deemed harmful to minors. (See K.S.A. 21-4301a and K.S.A. 21-4301c, as amended.)
  • Patrons shall not use computer workstations in a manner that allows them to possess a computer-generated image that contains or incorporates sexual exploitation of a child. (See K.S.A. 21-3516, as amended.)

A patron who is observed using a workstation in an unacceptable manner, may be subject to:

  • Immediate termination of the Internet session
  • Suspension of computer use or other Library use privileges
  • Notification of appropriate law enforcement officials
  • Prosecution

Use of the Internet by Minors

Within the above limitations, the Library follows policies and procedures that support maximum safety for minors when accessing the Internet at the Library. However, parents and guardians, not the Library or its staff, are responsible for Internet use by their own minor children. In accordance with the Library’s Unattended Child Policy, children age 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Minors who visit the Library without a parent or guardian are responsible for their own decisions and behaviors. Some Internet workstations may be reserved for use by children or young adults.

Wireless Network Access

While in the Library, patrons may connect to the Internet with a wireless laptop, PDA, or other portable device. All Library policies concerning legal and acceptable use of the Internet apply. Library staff cannot offer technical support for establishing or maintaining wireless connections. Printing from the wireless network is not supported.

The wireless network is open and should not be considered secure. Simultaneously connected computers are visible to each other, and therefore vulnerable to other users’ viruses, malware, and hacks. Users are responsible for maintaining up-to-date anti-virus software and firewalls. Transmission of credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information should be avoided. The Library is not responsible for hardware or software damage, loss of unattended equipment, or personal information that is compromised.