Terms and Conditions for

Acceptable Use of Public Internet Access

The Manitouwadge Public Library is pleased to offer free Internet access to the residents of Manitouwadge who hold a valid Library Membership Card. Thanks to the support of the Community Access Program and Thunder Bay Telephone Internet Services (www.nwconx.net), the Manitouwadge Public Library is able to contribute to the educational, recreational and economic growth of Manitouwadge and also provide its citizens with the ability to use information in current and developing formats.

To ensure responsibility and ethical use of the Internet resources at the Library, users must agree to abide by the Library's Internet Policy and Terms and Conditions for Acceptable Use of the Public Internet Terminals.

Terms and Conditions for Acceptable Use of the Internet Access Terminals

1) DISCLAIMER

The Manitouwadge Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. The library cannot control information obtained through links, which often change rapidly. As not all Internet sources provide accurate, complete, age appropriate or current information it is the user's responsibility to question the validity of any information accessed. Children's access to the Internet and other library resources is the responsibility of parents or guardians and, as with other library materials, are expected to provide guidance in its use. Parents and children are encouraged to read Child Safety on the Information Highway.

Patrons are reminded that the Internet access computers are situated in a public area shared by users of all ages. Users are asked to consider this when accessing potentially controversial information or images. As with other library materials, parents are expected to provide guidance in the use of the Internet.
   

2) ETHICAL USE

The Manitouwadge Public Library reserves the right to ask individuals to refrain from displaying disturbing information or images. The library's computers may not be used for any illegal or criminal purposes including harassment, of other users, libeling or slandering other users, destruction of or damage to equipment, software or data belonging to the library or other users or unauthorized copying of copyright-protected material. Users are expected to follow the Internet Access User Guidelines and abide by the library's Internet Policy and Terms and Conditions for Acceptable Use of the Public Access Terminals as established by the Manitouwadge Public Library.
  
 

3) INTERNET ACCESS TERMINALS USE - The Manitouwadge Public Library has three (3) free Internet Access Terminals and 2 portable laptops with filtering software for screening out objectionable web sites installed on the terminals that is updated on a regular basis.

-         The Library's Internet access is intended primarily as an information resource.

A Parental Permission Waiver Form for Internet Access must be completed by a parent prior to children less than 16 yrs of age being allowed to access the Internet. The library retains the paper record of your agreement and records the appropriate information on your library membership record to facilitate your use of this service.

Permission form is located at the bottom of the page. This form must be signed infront of one of the library employees.

-         A valid Manitouwadge Public Library Membership Card must be presented prior to sign-up for Internet access. If you do not have a membership card, you may register for one or you may choose to pay a usage fee as set and posted in the Reading Room.

-         You may sign-up for half hour blocks of usage. You will be allowed additional time if no one is waiting. Please remember to sign-out before leaving the library.

-         Patrons may not bring their own software or blank disks for downloading from library workstations. Blank formatted disks can be purchased at the library.

-         You may not use or load your own diskette or CD-ROM onto the library computers.

-         Terminals have access to the Internet, Word Processing programs and CD-ROM programs.

-         Please ask for staff assistance before printing. Printing costs are clearly posted as they vary, between thirty cents for text only black and white up to fifty cents per page for colored graphics.

-         If you wish to save your document, you must purchase a diskette from the Circulation Desk for $2. If you wish to update your document in the future, leave this diskette at the library to be retrieved by you at a late date.

-         The library is not responsible for any files saved on the hard drive (C:). The hard drives are cleaned on a regular basis and documents may be deleted at any time.

4) RESPONSIBLE USE

-         All users of electronic information resources, such as the Internet, are expected to use them in a responsible manner

Responsible use of the Internet includes the following:

-         Using resources for educational, recreational and informational purposes and not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical reasons.

-         Respecting the privacy of others using public access terminals and not interfering with their use.

-         Respecting time limits for using the Internet and yielding to next the next person signed-up.

Violation of the acceptable use policy is defined as Internet abuse and can include the following:

-         Using the Internet to access, display, download, upload, print, forward or e-mail material with pornographic (as defined in the Criminal Code of Canada - Section 163), criminal or hate literature content is a violation of the acceptable use policy.

-         Subverting or attempting to subvert any security devices in either software or hardware format which the library has installed on its terminals is a violation of the acceptable use policy.

-         Installing or attempting to install viruses or other programs designed to damage or alter software on terminals is a violation of the acceptable use policy.

-         Misrepresenting oneself as another user is a violation of the acceptable use policy. 

5) STAFF AND LIBRARY RESPONSIBILITIES

-         Library staff will use reasonable efforts to ensure compliance with Internet use policies and procedures.

-         Library staff may be available to provide minimal assistance to patrons, but cannot provide technical support in the library, nor for Internet users at home. The library may offer orientation sessions, home page development and other instructions for groups and individuals as staff and resources permit.

-         The library reserves the right to request that patrons discontinue use of the Internet.

-         Patrons in violation of the library's Internet use policies will have their Internet privileges revoked or may be banned from using the library.

6) INTERNET TRAINING

Due to shortage of staff, we are unable to assist patrons with in-depth research.

Manitouwadge Public Library does provide Internet classes for a minimal charge or free of charge, at various times throughout the year. We also offer a variety of print materials to assist our patrons.

MANITOUWADGE PUBLIC LIBRARY ONLINE INTERNET POLICY FOR CHILDREN 15 YEARS OF AGE AND UNDER.

1. I will not give out any personal information such as my address, telephone number, parent's work address/telephone number, or the name and location of my school without my parent's permission.

2. I will tell my parents right away if I come across any information that makes me feel uncomfortable.

3. I will never agree to get together with someone I "meet" online without first checking with my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and bring my mother or father along.

4. I will never send a person my picture or anything else without first checking with my parents.

5. I will not respond to any messages that are mean or in anyway make me feel uncomfortable. It is not my fault if I get a message like that. If I do, I will tell my parents right away so that they can contact the service provider.

6. I will talk to my parents so that we can set up rules for going online. We will decide upon the time or day that I can be online, the length of time I can be online and appropriate areas for me to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.

7. I will not give my Internet passoword to anyone (even my best friends) other than my parents. 

8. I will be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.

9. I understand that by breaking any of these rules I will loose my library privileges. 

Childs Signature_____________________________________ Age________

Parents Signature___________________________________ Date________

*14 and 15 year olds may use chat lines with signed parent permission forms.*

* Children 13 years and under are not allowed to use any chat lines.*