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The Nesmith Library offers direct, unfiltered access to the Internet, as part of its commitment to public access to information and provision of electronic resources to its patrons, and in keeping with its collection development policies and with the American Library Association's Access to Electronic Information, Services and Networks: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights. Patrons under 18 years of age need parental permission to access the Internet in the Library. Filtering software is not highly effective and blocks out much material of a legitimate reference nature, and therefore is not employed by the Library. Disclaimer: The Nesmith Library Board of Trustees and its staff do not control the Internet. It is a global entity. Available information can be inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date. Some materials may be controversial or undesirable, depending upon the user's beliefs. The Library is not responsible for Internet content, nor can the Library censor access or protect the user from offensive information. The user may not always be able to reach desired destination sites for a variety of reasons. The user is responsible for using the Internet for appropriate educational and recreational purposes. Parents are responsible for supervision of their children's activities in the Library, including Internet use. Parents are encouraged to help their children in the selection of appropriate sites and materials. The user is required to obey all applicable federal, state and local laws governing copyright, licensing and content restrictions. The Library reserves the right to restrict or terminate the user's Internet privileges for abuse of the conditions listed in this policy. Final decision regarding appropriate use rests with the Library Director and the Board of Trustees. 1. To access the Internet, the user must sign in at the circulation desk and present a valid Library card or picture identification. 2. Access to the Internet may be reserved in advance. Unreserved time may be used on a walk-in basis. Library scheduled use of the equipment will take precedence over individual use. Short-term Internet access computer(s) will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis in 15-minute increments. 3. In keeping with its mission, the Library provides Internet access for educational, cultural, informational, and recreational purposes. The Library does not provide E-mail accounts. 4. The user assumes fiscal and legal responsibility for all activity that occurs during his/her Internet session. Any material ordered must be charged to the user's credit card. The Library is not responsible for any payments of materials ordered by the user. 5. The user must use only legal versions of copyrighted software and copyrighted downloaded information. Use of the Library's Internet service as a base for operating a commercial enterprise or for illegal activity is not allowed. 6. The user must not engage in any activity which can cause harm to the equipment or data stored in it, or other computers connected to it, such as loading viruses, deleting files, etc. 7. The user is not permitted to download information onto computer hard drives without permission of Library staff. The Library staff will regularly delete files stored on the hard drive. Information can be downloaded on a clean, formatted 3.5 inch floppy disk. Disks are available at the circulation desk for a nominal fee. The Library cannot insure protection from viruses on the computer nor is the Library responsible for loss of data, or damage caused by any virus picked up on the Library's computers. 8. Searching for information on the public computers is primarily the responsibility of the user, however, when time permits, the reference staff will make every effort to instruct users on basic access to and searching of the Internet for a specific request. 9. Access to the Internet is available one-half (1/2) hour from the Library's daily start time up to one-half (1/2) hour before closing time. 10. We strive to protect the First Amendment rights of our patrons, and their individual rights of privacy. However, as Internet workstations are located in public areas, images on the screen and paper printouts of those images may be visible to a wide audience. Internet users should respect the rights and sensitivities of others, which is consistent with the Library's general rules of conduct. 11. Failure to use the Internet stations appropriately and responsibly may result in the revocation of Internet use privileges.