Policy on Internet, Computer, and Wireless Network Use

Adopted by the Board of Trustees on June 21, 1995, Revised March 22, 2000, January 16, 2002, March 16, 2004, November 15, 2006, December 18, 2012, and July 26, 2016. Latest revision effective February 18, 2013.

  1. General

    1. The Internet, as an information resource, enables the Library to provide
      electronic access to materials held by the Library and to materials and
      information beyond the confines of the Library’s own collection. The Internet
      offers access to a wealth of information that may be personally, professionally,
      and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages. It also offers access to
      materials that may be inaccurate, incomplete, offensive, disturbing, and/or illegal.
      The Library provides technology protection measures focusing on blocking
      obscene graphic images, child pornography, and images harmful to minors but
      does not guarantee their effectiveness.

  2. Policy

    1. Internet access at in-library computer workstations is provided to all registered
      Spokane Public Library customers.
    2. Just as with the physical collection, not all Internet sites are suitable for all ages.
      Therefore, the Library provides two levels of filtering: basic and enhanced.
    3. All library accounts, all in-library computer workstations, and the WiFi network
      are filtered at the basic level. The goal of basic level filtering is to restrict access
      to sites that are illegal, obscene, harmful to minors*, or that compromise
      computer or network security.
    4. Wireless Internet access is provided to all customers utilizing their own devices.
      People of all ages who use their personal devices to access the library wireless
      internet will be filtered at the basic leve
    5. Additionally, all library accounts for customers under the age of 13 are set to the
      enhanced filtering level. The enhanced filtering level blocks all of the same
      categories of information that are blocked with basic filtering plus other
      categories as necessary in order to conform to the Collection Development
      Policy for children’s materials.
    6. For both the basic and enhanced filtering levels, the Library will utilize categories
      provided by the filtering system that best match the Library’s intentions.
    7. A customer may request that an Internet site be blocked, or unblocked for
      “bonafide research or other lawful purposes”.** Staff will make every effort to
      unblock the site for that session and then the site will be reviewed within
      72 hours todetermine whether it should be permanently blocked or unblocked.
    8. All Library customers are expected to access the Internet in compliance with the
      Library’s Code of Conduct, and within the boundaries of the law. Viewing illegal
      materials (obscenity, child pornography, or materials harmful to minors) is
      prohibited. While using in-library computer workstations customers may not
      attempt to change program settings, boot from an external device, or try to run
      their own software. Violations may result in the loss of Internet privileges. Using
      the computer workstation constitutes an agreement by the user to these terms.

  3. Computer and Internet Safety

    1. The Library respects the rights and responsibilities of parents or guardians in
      determining and monitoring the use of the Internet by their children under the age
      of 18. Parents/guardians who do not want their minor children to have access to
      the Internet may request that their child be blocked from Internet access on
      library computers. The Library advises parents/guardians that it cannot assure
      children’s safety and security while using the Internet in the library. When
      children use social networks, electronic mail, chat, and other forms of direct
      electronic communication, the Library cannot protect against unauthorized
      access, including hacking, and other unlawful online activities. Furthermore, the
      Library cannot protect against unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of
      personal identification information regarding children if children provide such
      information while using the Internet.
    2. It is the responsibility of parents/legal guardians to monitor the Internet use of
      their minor children.

  4. Implementation

    1. Copies of the Internet Use Policy,
      and other relevant documents, will be available to the Library’s customers electronically
      via the Library’s web site.

*The Children’s Internet Protection Act defines “Harmful to minors” as: Any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that—(i) taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; (ii) depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or lewd exhibition of the genitals; and (iii) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors” (Secs. 1703(b)(2), 20 U.S.C. sec 3601(a)(5)(F) as added by CIPA sec 1711, 20 U.S.C. sec 9134(b)(f)(7)(B) as added by CIPA sec 1712(a), and 147 U.S.C. sec 254(h)(c)(G) as added by CIPA sec. 1721 (a)).

**Federal Communications Commission’s Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Guide:
http://www.fcc.gov/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act