Library Policies and Procedures
Acceptable Use Policy
The Pinal County District Library offers access to a variety of electronic resources that bring a wealth of information to customers of the Pinal County Library District. Computer equipment and software available for use at the Pinal County District Library is owned and maintained by the Pinal County Library District; access to the Internet is provided by the Pinal County Library District. In order to encourage the responsible use of these resources by our customers, the Pinal County District Library has established the following definitions, guidelines and policies based on the Pinal County Library District’s Acceptable Use Policy.
While these resources include free access to the Internet, the library is not and does not intend to be a full-service Internet provider. The library is responsible only for information pertaining directly to the library and its services. It does not control the availability of external connections to other computer systems that may change unpredictably. Services which may not be available include newsgroups, chat, telnet and personal e-mail accounts.
Individual assistance on using the library’s resources to access the Internet is available upon request. Library staff is able to answer brief questions and offer some suggestions on where to search for information. However, library staff does not provide in-depth training in the use of the Internet.
Customers and staff who use the library's Internet connection are subject to the following policies and procedures.
Filtering Software
Despite the unregulated nature of the Internet, FCL acknowledges the need for children to have an age-appropriate Internet experience. As called for by ARS Title 34, Chapter 5, filtering software is intended to provide an option for parents and children when searching the World Wide Web. Filters limit materials accessed by the user, although they do not guarantee that objectionable material will not be seen. As with other library materials, restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.
Things to know about the Internet:
- No one controls its contents. Anyone can write anything they like, so you may find information that is offensive to you.
- Since people can write whatever they like, information may be wrong, incomplete or not current. Question what you find. If the information is important to you, check it in another source.
- Any information that you enter into the Internet can be read by other people. Think before you write. Entering credit card numbers, account numbers, your name, address or other information may not be safe.
- The library uses a virus-checker on the computer workstations. However, if you bring in a personal storage device, it may not be completely protected from getting a computer virus. An infected storage device, inserted into any computer, could cause damage to that computer. The library is not responsible for any computer viruses transmitted to customer’s computers.
- Pinal County District Library does not provide e-mail accounts and does not support access to newsgroups and Internet relay chat.
- Pinal County District Library is not responsible for information found on the Internet or what you do with it. The library is also not responsible for loss of privacy, damages or loss of information caused by use of Internet services.
The following activities are prohibited:
- The Internet computer equipment and software must be used as installed. You may not add, delete or change anything on library computers.
- You may not use the Internet for activity that violates Arizona law by:
- Engaging in activities that are harmful to minors as defined in ARS §§13-3501, and 3506.
- Publicly displaying explicit sexual materials (ARS §13-3507).
- Committing telecommunications fraud (ARS §13-3707).
- You may not use the Internet for activity prohibited by federal law. Some material on the Internet may be protected by federal copyright laws (see generally Title 17, United State Code). Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials is illegal, except as permitted by the principles of "fair use." Generally, fair use of copyright materials is limited to copies made for personal use, private study, scholarship, or research. If the use of copyrighted material does not fall within fair use, permission from the copyright holder to use the material must be obtained before any such use. If in doubt about whether or not your use may infringe on material protected by a copyright, ask the copyright owner for permission to use the protected material. Violation of copyright laws can result in severe civil and criminal penalties. Customers of the library who are found to be repeat infringers of copyrighted material may have their computer use privileges terminated (see Violation of Internet Use Guidelines). Users of the Pinal County District Library's computer terminals are solely responsible for use of materials that may constitute copyright infringement.
- It is illegal to use this equipment to harm other users or computer systems.
Violation of Acceptable Use Guidelines:
Customers whose behavior is inappropriate for a public library will be asked to modify their behavior. If they fail to do so, they will be asked to leave the library premises. Consistent with this policy, library customers who violate any of the Acceptable Use guidelines may have their library use privileges suspended and be asked to leave the library. Individuals who are found to have repeatedly violated any of the Acceptable Use guidelines may have their library use privileges terminated. This decision may be appealed to the Library Director. The Director's decision is final.
- The police will be contacted if a staff member reasonably suspects that behavior which constitutes a criminal offense has been committed on library premises.