Self-Audit
Your library’s computer and internet use policy may wish to address:
- The types of access, equipment and services your library provides, including: hardware (computers, printers, tablets, literacy stations, etc.); software; and the type of internet access available for patron devices (wireless, filtered and/or unfiltered, etc.)
- Supervision, monitoring, and filtering of internet and computer use
- Availability and limits on staff time and professional expertise to provide assistance
- Access to computers and the internet for juvenile users
- Library card requirements: Do you require patrons to hold a library card to use the library’s hardware or internet access? Do you provide guest passes for people who do not hold a library card or for library cardholders that have forgotten their library card? Do you block access to computers based on library card status, such as fines and fees?
- Lawful and equitable use: Does your policy align with local, state, and federal laws on privacy, copyright, harassment, or exposing children to harmful materials? Does the policy prohibit the use of library resources to attempt unauthorized access to the library’s systems or networks or to other computer systems? Does it address overuse of system resources?
- Are the consequences for policy violations clearly outlined and applied consistently across different types of infractions? Does this policy include an appeals process?
- Is the policy easy for patrons to understand? Is it written in ‘plain language’?
Key points to include in your computer and internet use policy
- User responsibilities and expectations
- Limits on use such as session length, number of sessions per user, or age restrictions on computers in specific areas of the library
- Internet filtering information and disclaimers
- Liability & copyright disclaimers
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Restrictions or acceptable use provisions
- Policy enforcement and consequences
Related Procedures
You may need to develop related procedures that empower your staff to uniformly and fairly enforce your library’s policy. Such procedures might include:
- A computer use agreement for adult and/or juvenile users, if the policy requires it
- Guidelines on how to deal with policy violations, including talking points for speaking with a patron or steps for policy enforcement
- Procedures on when and how to offer guest cards or extend time limits
- Guidelines and procedures on providing technical assistance to patrons, including limits on how long staff can spend with a patron before requiring a tech appointment or limits on topics library staff can assist with. Your policy may restrict staff from providing legal, financial, or medical advice; completing forms such as government documents or job applications; or completing transactions by typing credit card numbers or personally identifiable information (PII).
- A form letter to inform patrons of any disciplinary actions related to violations of the computer and internet use policy, such as temporary or permanent bans from computer use.
Related Policies
The following topics might be included in your computer and internet use policy, or may be presented in separate policies depending on your library’s needs:
- Food and drink
- Child & teen safety
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Patron behavior
- Hotspot lending and use policies
- Makerspace equipment use
Sample Computer and Internet Use Policies
We’ve collected some sample computer and internet use policies for you to review as you work on your policy. Visit the Public Library Policy Resources WISELearn Group to discuss the topic, and consider uploading your library’s policy for discussion or as another example for the library community to learn from.
What’s Next?
In September, our Policy of the Month club will focus on collection development policies and in October, on reconsideration of library materials policies and procedures. Visit WISELearn to share your policies for discussion!
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