Internet Safety and Acceptable Use Policy 

Roddenbery Memorial Library offers Internet access to fulfill the educational and information needs of library patrons. Use of the Internet for unauthorized, illegal, or unethical purposes is expressly forbidden by the library, and by federal and state laws. Roddenbery Memorial Library assumes responsibility only for the content of the library home page and its accompanying locally produced web pages. The library assumes no responsibility for material that might be displayed on pages linked to the library's home page. Likewise the library assumes no responsibility for material found on the Internet that was not placed there by the library.

Internet use will be managed in a manner consistent with the library's rules of conduct, which have been adopted and approved by the Library Board and can be found in the library's policy manual. Abbreviated versions of the rules are posted throughout the library building. Failure to follow them, resulting in illegal or unethical use of the Internet, whether on a library computer or on a computer owned by the library user and connected through the library computer network, will result in revocation of a user's right to use the Internet at the library. Library staff members are willing to help patrons with Internet use, but the level of expertise varies from person to person on the staff. Library staff members who are proficient in the use of the Internet may not be available at all times.

Although many valuable sources of information exist on the Internet, some resources and destinations contain material that some patrons may find offensive. Sites may be located that are not appropriate for children. Some sites are inappropriate for use or viewing in a public setting. To maintain a safe and secure environment for minors, the library staff has taken measures to restrict access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web, including material which is obscene, includes child pornography, or is otherwise harmful to minors as defined in 47 USCA 254(h)(7)(G). A minor is defined in 47 USCA 254(h)(7)(D). The use of library computers to access pornographic material or legally obscene material as defined in OCGA 16- 12-80b, to operate game software, and to use chat room sites is prohibited. The library staff also seeks to prevent "hacking" and other unlawful activities by anyone using library computers. The staff seeks to prevent unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors. The library prohibits and makes every effort to prevent the misuse of social networking sites by groups or individuals.

The library can neither verify accuracy nor control content of sources found on the Internet. As information consumers, patrons must evaluate the validity and desirability of the information found. Patrons access the Internet at their own discretion and are responsible for following the guidelines of all networks traversed. While the library does take measures to protect the safety and security of minors using the Internet, the library does not have the right or authority to act in place of the parent and encourages  parents to supervise their children's use of the Internet and the World Wide Web. The library does not encourage access to questionable material, but the staff does not monitor and has limited control over information accessed through the Internet.

Roddenbery Memorial Library is receptive to anything that can be done to offer reasonable protection for young patrons from inappropriate material. Filtration of Internet access on all computers connected to the Internet through the library computer network is provided to the library by the Georgia Public Library Service Web Access Management system. Adult users of the Internet may request that filtration be suspended during their Internet session. Only senior staff members may disable filtration. Minors may request that sites be unblocked from filtration only after library staff members have made a reasonable determination that the site does not contain obscenity, child pornography, or other material harmful to minors as defined in 47 USCA 254(h)(7)(G). Library users wishing to pursue a request that the library reconsider its technology protection measures or the way they are implemented must present the  request, signed and in writing, to the Director, who will respond within 7 days. If the Director's response is not satisfactory, the requestor may present an appeal to the Library Board of Trustees, whose decision on the matter will be final.

Parents concerned about their child's use of electronic resources must accept responsibility for determining content and establishing guidelines for their child's use that are consistent with personal and individual family values and boundaries. Only parents or legal guardians may restrict their child from access to Internet resources accessible through the library.

                    Enacted by the Library Board of  Trustees, May 17, 1999
                    NCIPA Revision (Spring 2002) Adopted July 17, 2002
                    CIPA Revision (Fall 2003) Adopted November 17, 2003
                    Social Networking Revision (Spring 2007) Adopted March 27, 2007