• General Access to Internet Resources
• Internet Content
• Acceptable Uses
• Limitations
• Policy Endorsements

I. GENERAL ACCESS TO INTERNET RESOURCES

The Library provides workstations for free public access to the Internet as an informational and educational resource. Resources available on the Internet complement and supplement the traditional and electronic collections of the Chalmer Davee Library. A guest login is provided for anonymous use.

The University of Wisconsin System Policy on Use of University Information Technology Resources states that it is the policy of the University of Wisconsin System “to afford broad access to information technology resources for university students, faculty and staff for use in fulfilling the university’s missions, and for appropriate university-related activities” [emphasis added]. Therefore, all internet resources accessible in the Library are provided equally to all library users, consistent with the university’s public service functions.

II INTERNET CONTENT

The Chalmer Davee Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet, and is not responsible for the nature of nor the accuracy of any information accessed on the Internet.

The Library is not responsible for inadvertent exposure of minors or adults to potentially
offensive material accessed by Internet users on library equipment.

The Library is not responsible for what a minor or adult may locate on the Internet. As with other library materials, restriction of a minor’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.

III ACCEPTABLE USES

The Library expects that all users of electronic information resources such as the Internet will act responsibly and legally, consistent with the purpose for which these resources are provided. This includes:

• Using resources for educational and informational purposes only.

• Complying with all state and federal law while using the Internet.

• Not making unauthorized changes to the setup or configuration of the software or hardware.

• Respecting copyright laws and licensing agreements and assuming responsibility for payment of fees for any fee-based service.

• Not using Library Internet workstations to promote commercial ventures.

• 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.

• Further respecting the privacy of others using public access workstations at the Chalmer Davee Library by not interfering with their use.

Library staff protect the privacy of library users by not routinely scrutinizing the information or images displayed on any user’s computer screen.

IV LIMITATIONS

Games may not be downloaded to public Internet workstations.

Email and chat usage is permitted only when workstation demand is low. University affiliated users are directed to computer labs to use email when others are waiting to use library research resources.

Users are asked to limit their Internet sessions to 30 minutes when others are waiting.

V. POLICY ENDORSEMENTS

The Chalmer Davee Library endorses the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and Statement on Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks, and the ALA Council’s Resolution on the Use of Filtering Software in Libraries and uses these documents as a basis for this policy.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-RIVER FALLS
CHALMER DAVEE LIBRARY
POLICY ON INTERNET USE
February 2000

8/26/98
Rev. 2/25/2000