Internet Use and Safety Policy

To fulfill its mission of meeting the informational, recreational and lifelong learning needs of its users, the Henderson County Public Library offers access to a broad range of information resources, including those available through the Internet. By accessing the Internet at the library an individual has agreed to abide by this Internet Policy.

Information on the Internet may be reliable and current or it may be inaccurate and out-of-date. Users should be warned that some material available on the Internet might contain items that are illegal, defamatory, and potentially offensive and/or disturbing to some people. Users access the Internet at their own discretion.

Buying, selling, banking, tax preparation and other financial transactions are permissible on library workstations, but users conduct such transactions at their own risk. Even with safety measures in place the library does not guarantee security/privacy of communication across its network.

CIPA Compliant Statement.
CHILDREN’S INTERNET PROTECTION ACT (Pub. L. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h))

The Henderson County Public Library receives federal funding for Internet access. As a result the library complies with CIPA, a federal law, which requires the installation of filtering software on Internet terminals. Filtering software helps to protect against access to visual depictions deemed ‘obscene’ (as defined in 18 USC Section 1460), ‘child pornography’ (as defined in 18 USC Section 2256), or ‘harmful to minors.’ (as defined in 47 USC Section 254 [G].

Filtering software is flawed. In some instances it may block access to constitutionally protected material on the Internet or fail to block access to material that is obscene or harmful. Library staff can disable the filter for adult patrons, 17 and over, upon request.

It is the position of the library that staff presence and use of a filtering system should not be viewed as a substitute for parental supervision of a minor on the Internet. Staff ability to monitor activities of minors online will be affected by circumstances at the service desk. With this in mind, children age 11 and under must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times while using the library computers. Children 12–16 may use a computer unattended.

Internet Access

Library procedures for accessing the Internet must be followed and use will be managed in a manner consistent with the Library’s Code of Conduct. Misuse of the County’s computer network, the internet, library computer resources and equipment, including equipment associated with wireless Internet access includes, but is not limited to, using library computers for:

• Receiving, viewing, displaying, sending or forwarding obscene or disruptive messages, files, or images in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-26.
• Conducting illegal activities, including retrieving and viewing of obscene materials
• Disclosing, using, and disseminating personal identification information
• Gaining unauthorized access to or “hacking” into the Henderson County Library or any other computer system
• Damaging or attempting to damage computer equipment or software
• Interfering with the Library’s computer systems operations, integrity or security
• Gaining unauthorized access to another person’s files
• Sending harassing messages to other computer users
• Altering or attempting to alter the Library’s computer settings
• Violating copyright laws and software licensing agreements, and transmitting inappropriate materials via the internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communication

Policy adopted on 06.08.04. Revised 05.21.08. Revised 07.10.19