Internet Acceptable Use Policy

If this is the first time you have used the Library's Internet access, please read the Acceptable Use Policy below. If it is not your first time, click here to access the Internet.

Please restart your computer when you are done.
(Click Start button, then Shut Down, then Restart.)

Guidelines:

Patrons must agree to obey all applicable federal, state and local laws including, but not limited to, copyright, licensing and content restrictions. The Library reserves the right to terminate the User’s Internet privileges for abuse of these conditions or for unauthorized use of the Library's Internet connection.

Users may not use Library equipment to access illegal materials including those that are obscene or harmful to minors, or for any illegal or fraudulent activities.

Users may not in any way engage in any activity which is libelous or slanderous. Nor shall any patron use any Internet resources to offend, harass, intimidate or threaten any third party.

Users may not download or save any files onto the computer’s hard drive. Patrons may bring in removable storage devices and copy material onto them. Printing is available at a charge.

E-mail access is only available through the World Wide Web.

Patrons will be personally responsible for any materials ordered via the Internet. They will need to pay for these items with a credit card. The Library will not be responsible for those costs.

Any damage to the computer or its peripheral devices is the responsibility of the user. Abuse of the equipment or the service will result in the user being denied further access to the service. Malicious damage may result in prosecution.

Internet users are required to follow the same rules of conduct as others in the Library, and not engage in disruptive behavior.

While the staff at the Keene Public Library will not monitor an individual’s computer use, there are times when viewing otherwise legal materials may be inappropriate or when the behavior of those using the Internet may be inappropriate. The Library staff reserves the right to address such use of the Internet or behavior by requiring a patron to terminate his or her session. If any particular patron disregards the Library's Internet Use Policy, and is repeatedly required to terminate his or her session(s), that patron’s right to use of the Internet at the Library may be revoked.

There will be no more than two people at a computer station.

Users are asked to restart their computers when they have finished their session and to inform the staff member at the desk that the computer is available for the next person.

Violations of any of the guidelines may result in the loss of Internet privileges.

Booking the Internet:

Before signing up for an Internet session, patrons must read the policy and guidelines. Further, it is understood that in signing up to use the service, the patron has agreed to follow the policy and guidelines.

To use the Internet, patrons must first obtain a valid Library card, owe no more that $5.00 in fines, and sign up at the Reference or Youth Desk. In addition, minors must have a current library card on file that is signed by a parent or guardian. (As a courtesy, visitors to Keene that are 18 years of age or older and possess a current ID card may be allowed Internet access for the purpose of accessing their e-mail accounts, a courtesy generally extended by other libraries.)

There will be no more than two people at any one computer station.

Patrons are asked to restart the computer when they have finished their session and to inform the staff member at the desk that the computer is available for the next person.

Advance sign-up:

In order to insure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to book a session, the Library allows one advance sign-up per week for each Library card holder.

This advance sign-up may be made anytime in the week preceding the reservation, and must be the patron's first Library Internet session for the week.

Unreserved time on the schedule may be used on a walk-in basis.

A patron who is 15 minutes or more late for a reserved slot will forfeit the reserved computer.

Time slots:

Because of heavy demand, all time slots for Internet use are 30 minutes.

People without Keene Public Library library cards may use the Internet for 30 minutes.

Time periods for Internet use may be extended when no other patrons are signed up or waiting to use the computer.

Users may sign up for one time slot per day. After that, if there is an empty workstation, repeat users may sign up for it, but they will be bumped at any time by a user who has not been on that day.

The Keene Public Library provides access to a broad range of information resources including those available on the Internet. The Library is pleased to make this service available as part of our mission to provide free and open access to information, educational and cultural resources for Library users of all ages and backgrounds.

The Internet allows access to ideas, images, and commentary from around the globe and enables the Library to provide information not previously available within the confines of our collection. Such information can be personally, professionally and culturally enriching. However, the Library cannot control the information available over the Internet and is not responsible for its content. Not all sites on the global Internet provide accurate, complete or current information, and access points often change rapidly and unpredictably. Furthermore, some sources may be offensive, disturbing and/or illegal. Library users access information at their own discretion, and they are responsible for the access points they reach. Users may not, however, use Library equipment to access illegal materials including those that are obscene or harmful to minors, or for any illegal or fraudulent activities.

To assist patrons in their searches, Library staff have created a page with links to selected information sources. Due to the ever-changing nature of the Internet, however, we cannot guarantee that these links will remain valid. Similarly, we cannot be responsible for changes in the content of the sources to which we link, or the content of sources accessed through secondary links. As with printed information, users are encouraged to evaluate the validity of information found. We also provide formal instruction on the use of the World Wide Web at designated times. (For online assistance, see: Internet tutorials and Internet glossary.)

The Library upholds the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected materials. The Library also affirms the right and responsibility of parents to determine and monitor their children's use of Library materials and resources. As with other Library materials, restriction of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian. Parents are encouraged to discuss the use of the Internet with their children in relation to family values and boundaries, and to monitor their children’s use.

To further assist parents in their responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet, the Youth Department has specially designed web pages for children and young adults, with links to age-appropriate Internet sites and to a filtered search engine. This gives a parent the opportunity to direct a child to the Youth pages. However, while the filtered search engine will block many sites that may be offensive to some users, it may not block all materials that may be offensive to all users. Parents and children are encouraged to read Child Safety on the Information Highway available at the Library and on the World Wide Web.

The Keene Public Library strives to balance the rights of the user to access information sources with the rights of other users in the Library. While the Library attempts to place terminals to offer some degree of privacy, patrons are cautioned that the computers are located in public areas which must be shared by Library users of all ages and backgrounds. Internet users are asked to consider this and to respect the sensitivities of others. There are information sources on the Internet that may not be appropriate for displaying in a public setting.

At the same time, Library users are asked to respect the privacy of those using the Internet terminals. Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users' activities. The Keene Public Library, however, will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the public except as required by law or necessary for the proper operation of the Library.

The Keene Public Library affirms its commitment to help patrons use the Internet effectively and appropriately. The Library will continue to monitor changes and trends in Internet technology that could improve our ability to provide access to useful, appropriate and acceptable information to all users.

Please Note: The City of Keene receives its Internet service from Time Warner . They have their own Acceptable Use Policy.