West Bend Community Memorial Library

Acceptable Internet Use Policy:

Wireless Internet Policy
In order to use one of the Internet access computers available to the public at the West Bend Community Memorial Library you must agree to the following guidelines:

Use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of this privilege. All users of electronic information resources such as the Internet are expected to use these items in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided and to follow these policies and regulations.

Responsible and ethical use of such resources including the following:

1. Using Internet resources for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only. These computer terminals are not to be used for illegal, unauthorized or unethical purposes.

2. Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system, or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.

3. Respecting the privacy of others using Internet access terminals at the West Bend Community Memorial Library by not interfering with their use.

4. Making only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data.

Examples of inappropriate use include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Violation of computer system integrity.

2. Unauthorized tampering with computer hardware or software.

3. Use of Internet access workstations for purposes other than Internet access.

Violators of this agreement will have their Internet privileges revoked for six months on the first offence, and for 12 months on subsequent offences.

Illegal acts involving Library computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities.

Children under the age of 18 must have parental permission to use the Internet. The West Bend Community Memorial Library assumes no responsibility for the use of the Internet by children. The Library does not monitor, and has no control over, the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. It is not possible for library staff to control specific information children or young adults may locate on the Internet. Just as libraries do not espouse the viewpoints of written material in their collections, they do not do so for electronic information. Selection policies which serve to govern a library's purchase of written materials may not apply to resources accessed electronically. Therefore, parents are expected to monitor and supervise their children's use of the Internet. Parents may wish to read the guidelines for Keeping Kids Safer on the Internet: Tips for Parents and Guardians. (produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Interactive Services Association).

Persons wishing to use Internet access computers must sign an Internet Use Registration form. Parents must sign for children under 18 years of age. The signature on this form is legally binding and indicates the party has read the terms and conditions of the West Bend Community Memorial Library's Internet Use Policy and understands their significance.

Misuse or abuse of Internet access computers will result in the suspension of Internet access privileges. Persons using this equipment agree not to make any changes to the setup or configuration of the software or hardware.

Library staff will assist patrons with Internet use as time permits, but may not be familiar with every application that a person might wish to use. Due to scheduling constraints, there may not be an Internet trained librarian on duty at all times. Reference staff are always available to assist patrons locate books and periodical articles about the Internet. Because of the many different Internet applications available, we cannot provide complete technical support.

WARNING: Although we utilize virus checking software, this is not a guarantee that you will be completely protected from viruses. Software downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus and you need to have a virus-checking software on your computer. The West Bend Community Memorial Library is not responsible for damage to a patron's disk or computer, or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from a patron's use of the library's computers.

Patrons are allotted Internet access on the workstations one-half hour per day.  If no one is waiting for access, and at the discretion of the Reference Librarian on duty, patrons may continue to use the Internet on the stipulation that they vacate the workstation for the next registered user. 

The Email Express terminal is available to adults for ten minutes.

Internet access is denied if patrons have fines exceeding $5.00.

Adopted by the West Bend Library Board
October 1, 2000
Updated September 7, 2004

[printable version]
Updated July 24, 2008