The mission of the Handley Regional Library is to provide our community access to the best resources that educate, inform, entertain and inspire. In keeping with this mission, the Handley Regional Library provides public access to the Internet.
The Handley Regional Library has content filters that block pornography, obscene materials, and materials harmful to minors on all public computers with Internet access. Such filtering is required by the Commonwealth of Virginia for all public libraries that receive state funds.
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The Handley Regional Library cannot control and is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of information accessed over the Internet. While the staff will assist patrons in accessing the Internet, users are encouraged to be critical consumers and to evaluate information carefully.
The Handley Regional Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from the use of its Internet access computers or from its connections to other Internet services.
The Handley Regional Library accepts and adheres to the Library Bill of Rights, the Statement On Professional Ethics, and the Policy Concerning Confidentiality of Personally Identifiable Information about Library Users adopted by the Council of the American Library Association.
Access to the Internet is provided at the Handley Regional Library free of charge.
Conditions of Use
All users of the Internet, including library employees and patrons, are expected to behave in a responsible manner. Responsible, appropriate use of the Internet includes using the Internet for lawful educational, information, and recreation purposes only.
Illegal or unethical usage of Internet terminals, as described below, is prohibited and may result in the loss of Internet or library privileges. Illegal acts involving computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.
Illegal Use
The access and display of obscene graphics and child pornography is illegal in the Commonwealth of Virginia (Code of Virginia, 18.2-372.18.2-374.1) and is prohibited to Library Internet users. Access of materials deemed harmful to minors as defined in Code of Virginia, 18.2-390 is illegal in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is prohibited to Library Internet users.
Examples of other illegal uses include, but are not limited to:
Harassment of other users; libeling or slandering others; destruction or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or other users; disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications, unauthorized copying of copyright protected material, and violation of software licensing agreements.
Unethical Use
Examples of unethical use include, but are not limited to:
Violating or attempting to circumvent computer system security; damaging or altering software components of any network or database; unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers; violation of network usage policies and regulations; violation of another user’s privacy; attempting to modify or gain unauthorized access to files, passwords, or data belong to others, representing oneself as another person.
Internet users who violate the Conditions of Use will be given a warning by Library staff, with any further violation resulting in the loss of all Internet privileges.
In accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA):
- Access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet is prohibited.
- Unauthorized access including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors online is prohibited.
- Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors by adults or minors is prohibited.
- The Handley Regional Library has content filters designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors.
Approved by the Handley Regional Library Board 2013