Internet Use and Safety Policy

The Internet is a global electronic information network used by students, educators, businesses, the government, the military and other organizations and individuals. It offers access to ideas, information and commentary from around the globe, enabling libraries to enhance and supplement their existing collections.

The Hudson Public Library provides access to the Internet for the purpose of searching for information relevant to academic, business or personal interests. While much of the information on the Internet is professionally and culturally enriching, there will inevitably be material that is controversial, offensive or disturbing to some individuals, or material that may be illegal. There may also be information that is neither accurate nor current.

The Hudson Public Library provides access to the Internet. The Library cannot control and does not monitor any information on the Internet for accuracy. The individual user is the ultimate judge of the usefulness and value of all material accessed via the Internet.

Material entering the Library via the Internet circumvents library collection policies. The staff may occasionally find that a user has accessed material that is not in keeping with the departmental collection policy and which has a negative effect on other patrons in the building. Because this medium is not a private one, the staff may occasionally find it necessary to request that a patron terminate access to a particular site.

Access by Minors

In the case of minors, parents or legal guardians must assume the responsibility for deciding which library resources are appropriate for their own children. Parents or legal guardians should guide their children in use of the Internet and inform them about materials they should not use or view. It is also the responsibility of the child, whose curiosity is surely tempered by his or her judgment and upbringing. While the Library affirms and acknowledges the rights and responsibilities of parents and guardians to monitor and determine their children's access to Library materials and resources, including those available through the Internet, the Library has taken certain measures designed to assist in the safe and effective use of these resources by all minors on the Internet stations located in the Children's Room.

a.) To address the issue of access by minors to inappropriate material on the Internet, including material that is harmful to minors, the Library:

Directs children via web pointers toward appropriate educational, informational or entertainment web sites
Develops and maintains special web sites for children on the Internet computers in the Children's Room.
Encourages staff to guide minors away from materials that may be inappropriate
Distributes Internet safety publications for parents and children
Provides individual and group instruction by appointment on safe and effective Internet use

b.) To address the issue of safety and security of minors, as well as the unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information when using electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications, the Library provides training programs and also urges minors and caregivers of minors to keep in mind the following safety guidelines:

Never give out identifying information such as home address, school name, or telephone number. When you post messages on line use a nickname
Let parents or guardians decide whether personal information such as age, marital status, or financial information should be revealed.
Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone via the computer without a parents' or guardians' approval.
Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or make one uncomfortable.
Have parents or guardians report an incident to the national Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 if one becomes aware of the transmission of child pornography.
Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.
Remember that everything one reads may not be true.

c.) To address the issue of unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking”, and other unlawful activities by minors online, minors and all other Library users are hereby advised that use of the Library's computers for hacking or any other unlawful activity is strictly prohibited.

The Library reserves the right to limit the amount of time an individual user can devote to a single session. The public must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, including laws governing the transmission and dissemination of information while accessing the Internet. Users may not:

Eat or drink while using the computer
Use the network to make unauthorized entry into other computational, informational or communication services or resources
Distribute unsolicited advertising
Invade the privacy of others
Make any attempt to damage or corrupt computer equipment or software
Engage in any activity that is harassing or defamatory
Download information onto the computer hard drive
Change system or browser settings
Use the Internet for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other rights of third parties, or in a manner inconsistent with the Library's tax-exempt status or its proper operation

Violation may result in loss of access. Unlawful activities will be dealt with in an appropriate manner.

Public Users' Security

Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users' activities. However, the Hudson Public Library will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the public except as required by law or necessary for the proper operation of the Library.

Please observe these procedures when using the Internet:

Users must log-on with a valid Hudson or C/WMARS borrowers card. Users will be denied access if their borrower's card has fines in excess of $10.00 or a billed item. User is also denied if their library card is expired. See a librarian to renew.
The person logged on is the only one authorized to use the Internet during that time period.
Each registered time slot is 60 minutes and can be reserved in person. Each patron is allowed one 60 minute session per day. Reservations may be made up to 3 days in advance. Reservations will be held for 10 minutes.
All print requests are routed to a self-service print release computer. The cost is .15¢ per page; black and white print only. Pay at the self-service coin vending machine.
The library does not provide staff to instruct Internet users during their sign-up time. This service is intended for independent use. A basic introduction to the Internet is offered on request, please speak to the Reference Librarian about scheduling a session.

Adopted by the Board of Trustees May 8, 1997
Amended June 18, 1999; May 17, 2002
Amended September 15, 2004