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COMPUTER AND INTERNET SAFETY AND USE POLICY

The Berthoud Community Library District (BCLD) provides public access to the Internet in
keeping with the BCLD’s mission of connecting our community to the world. To connect library
users to resources beyond those contained in the BCLD’s physical collection, the BCLD
provides Internet access on public computers and via a wireless network for community
members to use with their personal devices. BCLD reserves the right to require a Library
Account in good standing be established and maintained for computer and Wi-Fi use. This policy applies to adults and minors. Accessing the Internet using any of BCLD’s systems constitutes acceptance by the user that they have read and understood the terms as stated in this and all other policies.

  1. Parents and guardians are expected to supervise minors in the safe use of the Internet. Parents and guardians are expected to continually participate in their children’s learning processes by helping them make good choices in selecting appropriate materials and websites.

  2. BCLD library users access the Internet at their own risk. It may contain controversial material that some may find offensive.

  3. BCLD does not monitor and has no control over the information on the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding user’s activities. BCLD is not responsible for any loss or damage incurred by a user of BCLD’s computer or telecommunications equipment.

  4. BCLD’s public computers are behind a firewall that blocks malicious content such as viruses and spyware. BCLD’s block on malicious content cannot be bypassed for library users.

  5. The same standards of intellectual freedom, privacy and confidentiality endorsed by BCLD for traditional resources apply to electronic media, including Internet use. BCLD will not release information on the use of Internet computers or specific websites accessed by BCLD library users, except authorized by law.

  6. Parents or legal guardians of minor children must assume responsibility for deciding what library resources are appropriate for their children, including access to the Internet. BCLD does not place age restrictions on access to any information, including the Internet.

Conditions of Use:


1. All users are responsible for obeying state and federal laws.
2. All users are responsible for respecting copyright laws, licensing agreements, and payment of fees for any fee-based service.
3. Users must sign up for use of BCLD’s public access internet computers. A valid library card, driver’s license, or other acceptable form of identification must be presented in order to use a computer.
4. Usage is provided in one-hour blocks. Users may sign up for additional time if no one else is waiting. Computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
5. Users are required to use headphones when accessing audio content.
6. Users must pay for all copies at the time of printing.
7. Materials copied from the Internet may be subject to copyright laws. Library users who
engage in the illegal download of copyrighted materials may be required to pay BCLD for any charges BCLD incurs due to said violation(s).
8. The use of BCLD computers and facilities for any type of illegal activity may result in
revocation or suspension of Internet use privileges, general library privileges, and/or constitute grounds for civil or criminal prosecution. A network ban may be undertaken without prior communication with the user and may take the form of restricting a specific user-owned device from the use of BCLD’s wireless network. Library users banned from the use of the network may appeal the ban in writing to the Library CEO. BCLD takes no responsibility for the loss of work or network time that results from a patron’s device being banned from network use.
9. Although a virus checker is installed on library computers, this program may not completely protect the user from loading a virus onto a personal storage device. BCLD is not responsible for damage to a user’s storage device or computer, or for any loss of data, any damage or any liability that may occur from use of a public access computer.
10. The BCLD network is not secure. Library users must rely on the websites they visit to
provide a secure, encrypted connection for transferring sensitive information when needed. Users should be cautious about transmitting sensitive information, including but not limited to personally identifiable information such as name or address, account information, credit card numbers, passwords, or social security numbers over BCLD’s network.
11. While BCLD strives to provide a quality wireless system, it cannot guarantee the signal
quality, bandwidth availability, or general Internet site availability at any time.
12. BCLD prohibits the following:

  • a. Sending, receiving or displaying pornography, harmful or obscene text or graphics, at the discretion of library staff.

  • b. Engaging in any activity that facilitates sending, receiving or displaying materials harmful to a minor, at the discretion of library staff.

  • c. Activities that disrupt BCLD or its network. Users may not attempt unauthorized access to any computer system. Users may be asked by staff at any time to disconnect any personal device the staff member deems a threat to the operation of the computer, the network, the smooth operation of the computer area in general, or the security of BCLD or its users. Failure to comply constitutes a breach of BCLD’s Code of Conduct.

  • d. Loading or downloading software from the Internet to the computer hard drive, using personal software programs on BCLD’s computers, or saving personal documents or images on the computer hard drive.

  • e. Making any attempt to modify, gain access to files, passwords or data belonging to others, seeking unauthorized access to BCLD’s or any other computer system, or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.

  1. BCLD filters all Internet computers as specified by State and Federal laws.

  2. No filtering system is completely effective or efficient, and BCLD does not accept responsibility for objectionable websites, text, or graphics not blocked by the filter.

  3. Upon request, staff may temporarily disable filters for individuals 18 and older. In the case of minors supervised by a parent (those under 18 years of age), staff may temporarily disable filters for research or other lawful purposes.

  4. To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of all users when using electronic mail, chat rooms, social media, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications.

  5. Prohibited network usage includes, but is not limited to: (a) unauthorized access, including hacking and other unlawful activities; and (b) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors.

  6. The filtering software used at BCLD has different settings and options that can be selected to block access to a wide variety of Internet sites. The Library Board of Trustees delegates authority to the Library CEO as the final decision maker with regard to which filtering software settings and options are activated in order to comply with this policy and the above referenced CRS.

Adopted 6/29/07
Revisions: 5/22/2008; 5/3/2012; 6/8/16; 9/12/18; 3/10/21; 4/11/24
(formerly separate Computer and Internet Safety and Use Policy; Wireless Policy)

Filtering:

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