Computer & Internet Policy
(Revised by the Board of Trustees - December 18, 2003)
The Cimarron City Library is committed to providing informational resources and services to meet the evolving cultural, educational and recreational needs of the City of Cimarron and Gray County, Kansas. By so doing, the Library contributes to an informed citizenry in our growing and increasingly diverse community.
The Library strives to be the gateway to recorded thought and information, committed to utilizing advanced technology to enhance the availability of its resources. It is within this framework that the Library offers access to the Internet.
The Internet is a worldwide network of information. Its content reflects the diversity of human thought and experience. This content is continually expanding. It changes frequently and its sources are limitless. Just as the Library does not vouch for or endorse the content or viewpoints in its collections, it is unable to vouch for the accuracy of information or endorse the various viewpoints accessed through the Internet. Users are encouraged to exercise critical judgment in evaluating the validity and value to them of information obtained through the Internet. The Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from its providing access to the Internet.
The Library's Internet access is intended primarily as an information resource. The Library prohibits the use of chat, news, or discussion groups. The Library also prohibits obscenity: Manufacturing, issuing, selling, giving, providing, lending, mailing, delivering, transmitting, publishing, distributing, circulating, disseminating, presenting, exhibiting or advertising any obscene material or obscene device is prohibited by Kansas State Statute 21-4301. Material is defined as "obscene" if the average person applying contemporary community standards would find that the material, taken as a whole, appeals to the "prurient interest."
Parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for deciding what library resources are appropriate for their own children. Some Internet information may be inappropriate for children. The library staff is not in a position to monitor and supervise children's use of the Internet. Parents or legal guardians must be responsible for the information selected and/or accessed by their children. Since they - and only they - can make these decisions for and with their children, they are encouraged to learn more about the Internet and provide appropriate guidance and supervision.
Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users' activities. However, the Cimarron City Library will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the public except as required by law or necessary for the proper operation of the Library.
A Request for Use form shall be read and signed by each user in order to insure that each person using the Internet is aware of both this policy and Library procedures for the orderly use of the equipment, including reservations, time limits, and printing charges.
