Elk Grove Village Public Library Internet Policy

The Elk Grove Village Public Library ("the Library") is committed to being a community resource leader in providing access to knowledge and information using computer Internet technology. The Internet provides wide access to a wealth of ideas, information and entertainment, which greatly enhances the information available to serve the community. The Internet is not controlled by the Library, but is an entity that constantly grows and changes. As such, the Internet provides access to a wide variety of information and other material. Some of this information and material may be erroneous, out-of-date, illegal, obscene, controversial, or sexually explicit. The Library is not, however, responsible for the accuracy or appropriateness of the content of expression found on the Internet.

The Internet truly brings a world of information to our patrons and as such, some persons may be offended by material they find. Parents are encouraged to supervise their children’s time on the Internet to teach them to use this very useful and powerful tool responsibly. In order for minors (17 and under) to use the Internet, they must have an "Internet Use Permission Form" signed at the Library by a parent or guardian.

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the rights of citizens from governmental intrusion in what they see, hear, view and read. It also applies to citizens accessing information on the Internet at the Elk Grove Village Public Library. As a result workstations in the Adult Services area of the Library do not have filtering software.

After many months of discussion and public meetings, in the Spring of 2000 the Elk Grove Village Public Library Board of Trustees voted 4-3 to install filtering software on the Internet computers in the Youth Services Department only for the purpose of limiting access by minors to material on the Internet containing partial nudity, full nudity and sexual acts.

The Internet, filtering and related public policy continues to develop. Accordingly, guidelines and procedures are developed and modified when necessary in light of changing needs. Parents and guardians should be aware that it is impossible for any filter to be 100% perfect in blocking all it is intended to block. The filter may, at times, also inadvertently block valid sites. Although not perfect, the installation of filtering software is a good faith effort by your community library to help shield minors from objectionable materials. The remainder of the computers with Internet access at the Library are unfiltered. Parents or guardians of minors (17 or under) who wish to have their children be able to use unfiltered computers may do so by completing an "Unfiltered Internet Use Permission Form" at the Library. The minor’s library card will then be modified to note that unfiltered Internet access permission has been granted.

It is imperative that parents, guardians and library patrons in general be aware of the wide range of materials available on the Internet and the importance of using this resource responsibly. Parents and guardians should direct their children’s use of the Internet accordingly. It is strictly prohibited for minors or adults to view obscene or illegal materials on the Internet on any of the Library’s computers. The use of "chat rooms" on the Internet at the Library is not deemed part of the Library’s purpose, and is also prohibited.

In using the Internet at the Library, patrons agree not to use the Internet for any illegal or improper purpose, including, but not limited to the following:

• Posting or transmitting any unlawful, threatening or abusive information or communications, including, but not limited to, transmissions including threats of violence, obscenity, child pornography, or harassing communications as defined by law, or constituting or encouraging conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, or leading to civil liability;
• Violating any copyright laws or software license agreements;
• Posting or transmitting or otherwise propagating any information or software that contains a "virus", "worm" or other harmful component;
• Attempting to download or install unauthorized software;
• Attempting in any way to disable installed filtering software;
• Attempting to change or damage computer equipment, software settings, or files belonging to the Library, other users, or external networks and/or web sites, or attempting to deliberately crash a computer, consume large amounts of system resources, lock out files or cause any other type of improper interference with system operations;
• Attempting, or assisting to attempt, unauthorized access to any library computer system, or any other network or external system; or
• Violating others’ privacy.

Persons found to be violating the Library Internet Use Policy, or engaged in any other inappropriate or illegal behavior may lose Library Internet and/or other Library privileges.

The Internet is a wonderful resource and all our patrons are encouraged to use it responsibly.

This Internet Use Policy may be amended from time to time.

Elk Grove Village Board of Trustees

September 6, 2005