Coatesville Area Public Library, a member of the Chester County Library System (CCLS), provides public access to the Internet and other electronic resources through CCLS provided computers and wireless connections. These connections and computers are leased, owned, or provided by the CCLS.  Users of these computers or wireless connections may use them for any purpose that does not violate this policy as well as the CCLS Internet Acceptable Use policy (http://www.ccls.org/cwo/Acceptable_Use). It offers this in fulfillment of its mission to develop services, resources and collections that meet the cultural, informational, recreational, and educational needs of its diverse community, and to respond to advances in technology and the changing needs of its customers, Coatesville Area Public Library recognizes that the Internet is a rich but unregulated resource and that not all sources on the Internet provide information that is accurate, complete, current, legal, or philosophically acceptable to all citizens. Coatesville Area Public Library selects links for its web site to guide users to sites that have been reviewed according to the same selection criteria used for other library resources.

Individual users assume the responsibility for determining the suitability of Internet content for themselves. Coatesville Area Public Library affirms the right and responsibility of parents and legal guardians for deciding what library resources, including those found on the Internet, are appropriate for their own minor children. Coatesville Area Public Library staff do not act in loco parentis to restrict what a child may access. Coatesville Area Public Library discourages all customers (especially minors) from disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal information while interacting with others through direct electronic communications, such as social networking web sites, chat rooms and email. Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors is strictly prohibited.

CCLS uses technology protection measures to filter content in accordance and compliance with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act, (CIPA), Pub. L. No. 106-554, Div. B., Title XVII, 114 Stat. 2763A-335 (2000).  

Users of CCLS provided computers or wireless connections may not use them for any purpose that violates federal, state or local laws. Users must respect all copyright laws and licensing agreements pertaining to electronic files and other resources obtained via the Internet. The viewing of pages that contain or display sexually explicit images or materials or obscenity as defined in 18PaCS 5903 is prohibited in Pennsylvania in a public library environment. The viewing of child pornography is a criminal act and may be prosecutable as a felony.  CCLS will assist in the prosecution of criminal activity. The CCLS Executive Director is the custodian of CCLS owned/leased computer hardware.  Any request by law enforcement officials or others for access to such hardware must be referred to the CCLS Executive Director.

Coatesville Area Public Library and CCLS reserve the right to terminate an individual’s use of an electronic resource, library computer, or wireless connection at any time for failure to comply with Coatesville Area Public Library or CCLS Policies or Guidelines.

 

Approved. 2019