STATEMENT OF POLICY: The Internet is an unregulated global communication network and information resource with a highly diverse user population and information content. The library does not assume responsibility for the accuracy, quality, or timeliness of Internet information. As with all library materials, the determination of viability and usefulness of Internet information rest with the individual patron. The library provides access to Internet resources equally to all library users and upholds and affirms the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected material. However, users need to be aware that obscenity and child pornography are not constitutionally protected. Internet computers shall not be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, including any activity prohibited under any Federal, State or Local Law including activities in violation of 18 Pa Cons. Stat. Sec. 5903, which prohibits certain acts of public indecency A parent or legal guardian, not the library or its staff, is responsible for monitoring a child’s use of the Internet and for the information selected and/or accessed by that child. The library strongly encourages parents or legal guardians to supervise their children’s Internet use and to provide them with guidelines about acceptable use. While the library staff will work to provide a safe environment for children and uphold applicable laws, the library and its staff will not act in place of the parent. Material on the Internet is copyrighted. It is the user’s responsibility to be aware of any notices concerning the copyright of information and to respect the copyright laws of the United States CHILDREN’S INTERNET PROTECTION ACT (CIPA) COMPLIANCE The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is a federal law that requires all computers in a public library to be filtered if that library accepts any federal funds for Internet access or computers used for Internet access. [Supreme Court decision: United States v. American Library Ass’n, Inc., No. 02-361 (June 23, 2003)] Baldwin Borough Library complies with the requirements of CIPA and with Allegheny County Bill No. 1899-05. All computers in the Baldwin Borough Library are filtered. Please be aware that filters are unreliable, at times blocking sites of legitimate informational or educational value, or allowing access to sites that are illegal, obscene, or sexually explicit within the meaning of 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Sec 5903. The library uses filtering software that blocks or filters Internet access to some Internet sites that may not be consistent with the policy of Baldwin Borough Public Library. Any adult (18 years of age or older) may request that the filter or technology protection measure be disabled without significant delay by a library staff member authorized by the Library Director, consistent with the privacy policy of the Library. An authorized staff member may override the filter or technology protection measure for a minor (age 17 years or younger) in the event that the filter wrongly blocks or filters Internet access to a site with legitimate informational value. Baldwin Borough Public Library cannot be responsible for any patron’s unauthorized use of a computer with a disabled filter COMPLAINT PROCEDURES Any patron who wishes to file a written complaint concerning the filtering software on the library computers may do so within thirty (30) days of an incident to The Library Director and/or the Library Board President.
