Navajo County Library District Internet Use Policy

Navajo County Library District provides access to online databases and the Internet for informational and educational purposes. All users of the Navajo County Library District’s online resources, both library staff members and patrons, are expected to use these resources correctly and only for legal purposes.

The Internet is global in scope, with a highly diverse user population and information content. The Internet is an unregulated medium and the Navajo County Library District has no control over any part of the Internet beyond its own homepages. Individual library users are responsible for determining the suitability of content for their purposes. The Library District does not control or evaluate information that may be accessible from Internet sources. Information may be reliable and current, or it may be erroneous, offensive, or illegal.

Children’s Internet Protection Act

It is the policy of Navajo County Library District to comply with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act and the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act. All computers with Internet access, including staff computers, will operate with filtering technology that, to the extent technically possible:

• Prevents access to visual depictions that are obscene, and
• Prevents access to child pornography, and
• Prevents access to visual depictions that are harmful to minors.

Library staff may disable the technology protection measure that blocks or filters Internet access for bona fide research purposes by an adult. CIPA requires that everyone age 16 and under use the technology protection measures; parents may not authorize that filtering be disabled for their children.

While library district computers offer filtered access, the library district cannot guarantee the complete effectiveness of the filter.

Use of the Internet by Minors

As with all other library sources, children's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the child's parent or guardian. Children and their parents should discuss the following:

1. Minors shall not access material that is obscene, pornographic, child pornography, "harmful to minors", or otherwise inappropriate for educational uses.
2. Minors shall not use library resources to engage in "hacking" or attempts to otherwise compromise system security.
3. Minors shall not engage in any illegal activities on the Internet.
4. Minors should use caution in their use of electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications, as these forms of communication can expose minors to dangerous situations.
5. Minors should never disclose personal information, such as name, school, address, and telephone number to strangers on the Internet.

Use of the Internet by Adults

1. Adults shall not access material that is obscene or is child pornography.

Online resources may not be used for the following purposes:

• Violation of any applicable federal, state, or local laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations.
• Harassment of other persons or parties.
• Libel or slander of other persons or parties.
• Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the library district, its member libraries or other users.
• Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to any computing, information, or communications devices or resources.
• Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications.
• Unauthorized copying of copyright or other protected material.
• Violation of computer system security.

Each of the twelve member libraries in Navajo County may choose to establish their own internet use policies, which may go beyond the scope of Navajo County Library District’s policy. Some examples could include choosing to set time limits, requiring a library card, or denying access if patrons have outstanding overdue materials or fines. Member libraries may also require patrons to sign a written Internet Use Agreement before accessing the Internet. Staff and members of the public using their local library will be expected to abide by the policies established by that library.

Approved this date, June 21, 2004, by the Navajo County Board of Supervisors