Internet Access Policy

In response to advances in technology and the changing needs of the community, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library endeavors to develop collections, resources and services that meet the cultural, information, recreational and educational needs of the diverse Baton Rouge community. It is within this context that the East Baton Rouge Parish Library offers access to the Internet and its multitude of resources.

Access to the Internet is compatible with the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read and the Freedom to View Statements of the American Library Association and with the Mission Statement of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. However, Internet resources are not subject to the same selection criteria that the Library uses for other materials. In addition, Internet sites or access points change rapidly and unpredictably.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Library is responsible only for data on those pages pertaining specifically to the Library. The Library is not responsible for the availability or content of any external sites linked to these pages. The accuracy and currency of information from local community organizations, governmental agencies and all other Internet sites is the complete responsibility of the originating agency.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from use of its connection to the Internet.

Staff Assistance

Library staff will assist patrons in accessing and using the Internet. Although the staff cannot provide in-depth training, they will answer questions and as time allows help users locate and use resources on the Internet.

Responsibilities of Patrons

The Internet provides access to a tremendous amount of important and authoritative information assembled by government agencies, non-profit organizations, businesses, and individuals. However, some sources on the Internet provide inappropriate, inaccurate, incomplete and out-of-date information. The user must be a good information consumer, questioning the source and the validity of the information he finds.

Users are hereby notified that they are responsible for the access points they reach and for the information they receive. All Public Computers are monitored by staff. Any time that a patron engages in activities which are prohibited by the Internet Access Policy or in disruptive behavior, his computer session will be terminated; he might lose his computer privileges.

Parents of minor children must assume responsibility for their children's use of the Internet through the Library's computers. PARENTS ARE ADVISED TO SUPERVISE THEIR CHILDREN'S INTERNET SESSIONS.

It is the responsibility of all users of electronic resources to respect intellectual property rights. Copyright restrictions may exist for individual electronic resources. Patrons may make copies only if allowable by copyright laws or licensed software agreements.

Patrons must use computers for acceptable purposes. Any use of the Internet computers or terminals for illegal, inappropriate or obscene purposes or in support of such activities is prohibited. The Library reserves the right to prohibit violators from future access to online services.

Illegal acts may subject violators to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.

Research and the Internet

Patrons should remember that the Internet is simply one among a number of information sources. The World Wide Web does not make libraries and their resources out of date. Think about the information you need and then decide what the most appropriate source will be. Specific information can often be found in books, periodicals, and other information sources available in the Library. If you need a simple fact, it might be faster to look it up in an encyclopedia, almanac or other source.

E-Mail, Chatrooms, Commercial Uses

The Library permits access to e-mail, chat rooms and e-commerce sites on computers available to adults and teens 12 and older. Children's computers will be unable to access these services. Children under twelve may use the adult computers if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Wireless Internet Access

Free wireless Internet access is available at selected library locations. You will need a notebook/laptop computer or wireless device with 802.11b or 802.11g wireless networking. If you are not sure if your notebook/laptop computer or other device has this functionality, please check with the manufacturer or supplier of your equipment.

Wireless Limitations and Disclaimers:

You may encounter some “dead” spots in a library where wireless reception may be limited. If you have trouble accessing the Internet or staying online please move to a different location within the library. The wireless Internet access we offer is filtered. By choosing to use this free service, you agree to abide by the East Baton Rouge Parish Library Internet Access Policy. This policy states the limitations of Internet access, your responsibilities for using that access, and provides examples of acceptable and unacceptable uses.

The Library’s wireless network is not secure. Information sent to and from your notebook/laptop computer or other wireless device may be captured by anyone else with a wireless device and the appropriate software.

Library staff is not able to provide technical assistance and no guarantee can be made that you will be able to make a wireless connection.

The Library assumes no responsibility for the safety of equipment or for notebook/laptop computer or other wireless device configurations, security, or data files resulting from connection to the Library’s wireless access.

Non-Library Hardware and Software

Patrons may not attach other hardware (laptops, CD-Rom drives, printers, etc.) to the Library's public computers or library connections and may not install their own software.

Downloading

Files cannot be saved to the Computer's hard drive. However, downloading information to a 3.5 floppy diskette or a flash drive is allowed.

Filtering

In accordance with Section 54.520 ( c ), Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47-- Telecommunications, the Library is required by the FCC to install filters on its public computers, as the default setting. This is to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). This enforces a policy of Internet safety that includes monitoring the online activities of minors and the operation of a technology protection measure, in order to protect against access to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or deemed harmful to minors. Unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors are prohibited. Adults, aged 17 and older, can request that Library staff temporarily disable the filter on a public computer. This will allow unfiltered access for that specific computer session. 

Additionally, the Library filters access to proxy sites, hacking sites, and illegal download sites. The Library also restricts access to high-bandwidth sites.

Cyber Bullying

Cyber bullying involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group that is intended to harm others. The Library reserves the right to prohibit violators from future access to online services.

Virus Warning

Although the library uses a program which checks for viruses there is no guarantee that diskettes will be protected. It is possible that downloaded software from the Internet may contain a virus. The East Baton Rouge Parish Library is not responsible for any damages, direct or indirect, or for any liability that may arise from saving or downloading files to a diskette.

Reserving Computers

Internet access computers and terminals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All Internet work sessions, including printing, must be finished 15 minutes before closing time. Specific guidelines for scheduling and use of computers are available at all libraries.

Printing

Patrons who are residents of East Baton Rouge Parish may print up to 20 pages free of charge. Additional pages will cost 10 cents each. All other patrons will be charged 10 cents per printed page.

This policy statement replaces and supersedes the policy issued on January 5, 2006, December 28, 2006, September 20, 2007 and December 29, 2008.

Revised November 5, 2009.