It is the policy of the Pitkin County Library to provide free access to library resources and to information using computer technology. The Library has limited control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. Nor can the Library be held responsible for any financial losses or consequences that might occur through the activities of patrons conducted over the Internet. The Library cannot guarantee the security or confidentiality of Internet transactions.
Internet access is filtered on all library public computers and WiFi service to block access to material that may be considered offensive. No filter is 100 percent effective. As with other library materials, supervision or restriction of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.
Patrons can ask to have the filter lifted temporarily. Viewing or downloading material that would be considered obscene by local community standards is prohibited.
It is not acceptable to use computers beyond time limits established by library staff.
Any of the following may result in suspension or loss of library privileges, including removal from the library and/or criminal prosecution or other legal action. Unacceptable use of library technology includes, but is not limited to:
· Conducting illegal or criminal activities
· Falsification of one’s age to gain access to Internet sites
· Sending intimidating, sexually offensive, or harassing messages
· Violating the legal protections provided by copyright and licenses to any computer program or database
· Damaging the software or hardware components of the local or remote computers, and/or use of programs that infiltrate a computer system, including uploading of any harmful form of programming, hacking, or the production or use of malware or spam.
When a computer session is ended, all information about that session is ordinarily deleted. The Library does not, as part of its regular practice, retrieve any information, including websites visited, passwords, credit card numbers, or any other information a customer has entered. At the end of the business day, all computer use and reservation records are normally erased.
The Pitkin County Library follows state and federal law regarding privacy of library users’ records and information. It is the Library’s usual practice to erase all customer use records, except those essential for library business operations. The Library will release records, including those relating to Internet usage, only as required by law.