INTERNET SAFETY POLICY

It is the policy of the Mid-Columbia Library to:

• Prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications.

• Prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity.

• Prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

• Comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

Access to Inappropriate Material

To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet filters”) shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors on all public and employee computers in all outlets of the Library.

Authorized employees may, at the request of an adult patron (defined here as 17 years or older), disable technology protection measures on a specific computer station for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

Inappropriate Network Usage

To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Library’s online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications. Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes:

· Unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,” and other unlawful activities; and

· Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

Supervision

It shall be the responsibility of all Library employees to supervise usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy and the Children’s Internet Protection Act. Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Library Director or designated representatives.

Definitions

Key terms are as defined in CIPA:

Minor.

Any individual who has not attained the age of 17 years.

Technology protection measure.

A specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access to visual depictions that are:

· Obscene, as that term is defined in section 1460 of title 18, United States Code;

· Child Pornography, as that term is defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code; or

· Harmful to minors.

Any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that: taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex or excretion; depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an act or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sex acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

Sexual Act, Sexual Contact, as those terms are defined in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code.

Adopted by the Mid-Columbia Library Board of Trustees

June 21, 2004