Policy Manual

The Poudre River Public Library District recognizes the importance of the Internet as a valuable informational resource. Therefore, the District provides access to the Internet as a service to the public. The District offers Internet access equally to all users with the understanding that it is the individual user’s responsibility to demonstrate judgment, respect for others, and appropriate conduct while using public library resources and facilities.

The Internet can pose challenges as an information resource. The District cannot monitor or control the content of the Internet. Users may find some sites controversial or inappropriate. Users are responsible for evaluating websites for their content, accuracy and availability. Users are encouraged to take advantage of the vast body of information on the Internet while exercising good judgment.

Use of Filters on District-owned Computers

The Poudre River Public Library District supports the right and responsibility of parents to direct use of the Internet by their own children, and provides convenient access to filtered Internet.

Customers may designate the preferred level of Internet access in their library record. Parents or legal guardians who sign their minor child’s card may designate the preferred level of Internet access on their child’s library record. The filter provided by the District may restrict access to sites that could be deemed objectionable, but may also limit access to sites which have legitimate research value. No filtering system is completely effective or efficient and the District does not accept responsibility for objectionable sites not blocked by the filter.

In compliance with Colorado Revised Statute 24-90-601 the District provides continuous filtering on public Internet computers in all Children’s areas.

Rules of Use

Users are responsible for obeying State and Federal laws. Users may not use District computers to access materials which by local community standards would be considered obscene.

Installation, downloading, or modification of software is not permitted. Only approved personal devices, such as USB drives and media players, may be attached to District computers.

Users will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted files or networks or to damage or modify computer equipment or software.

Users will respect the privacy of other users, and will refrain from attempting to view or read material being used by others.

The District is not responsible for any commercial transactions conducted by users on District equipment.

Users of the District’s Internet connection may be required to have a valid Poudre River Public Library District card or picture identification.

Users must observe current procedures and limits on time and number of sessions allowed on the Internet.

The District’s Behavior Policy applies to use of the Internet.

Termination or Suspension of User Access

District staff is authorized to take prompt and appropriate action to terminate any user’s access session, given cause to believe that a user has failed to comply with the Rules of Conduct in the Public Access to the Internet Policy or the District’s Behavior Policy. The Executive Director, or his or her designee, may prohibit a user from subsequent access sessions for up to three months from the date of informing the user of that action.

Internet users whose access session has been terminated or suspended for three months will be given information concerning the process to protest the action and/or request that Internet access privileges be reinstated. Temporary or permanent denial of Internet privileges at any District facility will be effective at all Poudre River Public Library District locations.