NEWTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Internet Access & Acceptable Use Policy

The Newton Public Library offers access to information resources on
the Internet and selected online services in response to advances in
technology and to the changing information needs of the community. 
Internet access is one component of the Library's objective to
provide modern library resources and services necessary to the
evolving educational, recreational, and informational needs of the
community.

DISCLAIMER
Since the Internet is a global electronic network, there is no
state/country control of its users or content.  The Internet and its
available resources may contain material of a controversial nature. 
The Library cannot censor access to material nor protect users from
offensive information. All Internet resources accessible through the
Library are provided equally to all Library users.  As with all
Library materials, parents, guardians and care givers, not Newton
Public Library, are responsible for their children's use of the 
Internet through the Library. Parents and children are encouraged to 
read CHILD SAFETY ON THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY including the section
MY RULES FOR ONLINE SAFETY, reprinted and distributed with permission
of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which is 
available online and in print form through the Library.

Library staff cannot control the availability of information links
which often change rapidly and unpredictably.  Not all sources on the
Internet provide accurate, complete or current information.  Users
need to be good information consumers, questioning the validity of
the information. The Library's book, periodical, CD-ROM databases, etc.,
provide resources which may be accessed more efficiently than the Internet.

The Library does not provide electronic mail for patrons or access to
newsgroups.  Users may not download material onto the computer's hard
drive. Users requesting access to the Internet are referred to the
Newton Public Library Microcomputer Use Policy. The Library reserves
the right to terminate an Internet session at any time.

USER RESPONSIBILITIES
All users of the Internet are expected to use this Library resource
in a responsible and courteous manner, consistent with the purposes
for which it is provided, and to follow all Internet-related rules,
regulations and procedures established for its use including, but not
limited to, those of the Library.  Responsible, courteous use of the
Internet includes:
Recognizing that the Internet, like all of the Library's information
sources, must be shared and used in a manner which respects the
rights of others and refrains from activity that prevents others from
using it.
Using the Library's Internet resources for educational, informational
and recreational purposes only, not for unauthorized, illegal or
unethical purposes.
Respecting intellectual property rights by making only authorized
copies of copyrighted, licensed or otherwise-controlled software or
data residing on the Internet.
Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as
another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files,
passwords, or data belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized
access to any computer system, or damaging or altering software
components of any network or database.
Respecting the privacy of others using public access workstations at
the Library by not interfering with their use.
Not sending, receiving, or displaying text or graphics which may
reasonably be construed as obscene.
Making only authorized copies of copyrighted or licensed software or
data.
Refraining from the deliberate propagation of computer worms or
viruses.
(Adopted by the Newton Public Library Board of Trustees with City Attorney recommendations,
February 10, 1997.)

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