G. Information Technologies - Acceptable Use & Safety Policy _______________Adopted: 2/96  rev 06/02

FCPL Information Technologies are available to the public with certain restrictions.  Use of these technologies, as with all library services and materials, is a privilege, not a right.  Misuse of library hardware or software may result in loss of library privileges, legal action, or both.   

Although Fulton County Public Library attempts to prevent direct access to materials that would not be generally acceptable in a public library through filtering software, it is technically impossible to prevent access to all objectionable resources.  It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to monitor and guide their children in the use of the Internet.

 Internet computer users are restricted as follows:

• Users may not access inappropriate matter, such as matter that is pornographic, threatening or otherwise in violation of community standards

• Users may not access chat rooms or other forms of electronic communications including but not limited to instant messaging, discussion groups, newsgroups, telnet sessions, MUDs and game rooms.  

• Users may not conduct unlawful activities using the Internet or library computers.  Users may not attempt unauthorized access (including hacking) to any computer system or network, whether local or remote.

• Minors should never disclose personal information, such as name, school, address, and telephone number to anyone who is not specifically approved by their parent or guardian.

• All library computers that connect to the Internet use a technology protection measure to filter and block access to images that are obscene, pornographic, or harmful to minors (age 16 and under).  Filters are not 100% effective and may not filter images that should be blocked, and conversely, may block images that should not be blocked.  

Internet Use General Internet Usage Policy_____________________________ Adopted: 2/96   rev 07/02

1. FCPL’s public computers use Internet software filters.  If you try to access a site and the Caution screen comes on, you have ‘tripped’ the filter.  If you believe the filter has made an error, or if you need access to a filtered site, please speak to a staff member or use the e-mail link to the Director.  The Library Administrator will check the situation and make a decision as to whether to unblock the site or to provide other ways to access the site.  In some cases no access will be provided.  
2. Certain times/days will be blocked out for Library use, maintenance, classes, etc.  
3. Users below the age of 12 must be supervised by a parent or legal guardian.
4. Library computers are primarily for research, business, and study purposes. 
5. Printing costs $.20 per page for black print & $1.00 per page for color, even pages printed "by accident", or not wanted.    
6. If persons are waiting to use a computer when all are busy, users who have had more than one hour of computer time will be asked to leave, in the order of their arrival.  Persons are required to cooperate and promptly close all programs and stop using the computer when asked by library staff.
7. Library hard drives are for the storage of library software and information only. Staff will delete non-library files periodically.
8. Virus warnings must be reported to staff immediately. 
9. Use of profanity, illegal actions, or abuse of library computers in any way will result in a forfeiture of further library computer use and/or possible prosecution.
10. Patrons are responsible for any damage occurring to library hardware or software due to inappropriate actions or inaction while using the computers.  Fees will be assessed and charged to the patron for required repairs or replacement.  
11. The library is not responsible for damage to patron data due to library use.
12. FCPL computers are not to be used to create, transmit, print, or otherwise distribute: pornographic, obscene, or sexually explicit materials; racist, sexist, or homophobic materials; or to otherwise break any federal, state, or local law.
13. FCPL computers are not to be used to extort, threaten, harass, or otherwise disturb others.  Such action may result in forfeiture of use privileges or prosecution, or both.
14. No use of FCPL materials or equipment shall disrupt any of the Internet networks as a whole, or any equipment or system forming part of the connection to, or part of, the internet system, or any services provided over the connection.
15. No user shall transmit any communication where the meaning of the message, or its transmission or distribution, would violate any applicable law or regulation, or would likely be highly offensive to the recipient or recipients thereof.
16. No user shall use FCPL materials or equipment to mass distribute (or otherwise intrusively "broadcast") any message over the Internet, including but not limited to advertising.
17. Users shall respect and abide by all copyright laws as applicable.  
18. Users shall not transmit, access, upload, download, or otherwise distribute or knowingly receive materials that are pornographic, threatening, obscene, or sexually explicit language or images.
19. Users shall not use the FCPL connection to the Internet to violate any local, state, or federal statute.
20. Users shall not vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another individual or organization, nor access another individual or organization's private files, materials, or information without permission.  
21. FCPL assumes no liability for inappropriate acts conducted on the Internet by any user. 
22. FCPL reserves the right to deny Internet access to any person found to be in violation of this General Internet Usage Policy and any addendums adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Fulton County Public Library or their designees.
23. The Library staff may take away the privilege to use the computers if persons misbehave while using the computers, have fines, or misbehave while on library property.
24. To use the Public Computers persons must use Computer Use Card. No other form of ID will be acceptable.

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