Guidelines for Parents

Parents who are concerned about their children's use of electronic resources should provide guidance. Personal computers and online services should not be used as electronic babysitters. Make computer use a family activity. Get to know your child's online friends as well as their other friends.

Talking together, setting rules together, keeping aware of computer services offered, will make using the Internet exciting for you and your child. The opportunities to learn are great. Make the most of them by sharing the online experience with your child.

It is important that you as a parent assume responsibility for your child's online computer use - at home, at school or in the library. Some rules your family may consider adopting are:

• Never give out identifying information such as home address, school name or telephone number.
• Decide whether you want personal information such as age, marital status or financial information revealed.
• Never allow your child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone via the computer without your approval.
• Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening or that make you or your child uncomfortable.
• If you or your child becomes aware of the transmission of child pornography, report it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
• Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.
• Remember that everything you read may not be true.

Guidelines for Use of Public Access Personal Computers Internet Policy

Due to the wide variety in the number of workstations at each branch library, availability of personal computers, software applications and advance reservations may vary. Check with each location for more information.

Patrons may be required to sign in at the desk or logon to a reservation system prior to each use of a personal computer.

• Time limits vary at each location because of demands on limited resources.
• Use of the Internet requires special registration procedures and is governed by the library's Internet Acceptable Use Policy.
• Children accompanying adults who are using the computers should not be left unattended.
• Personal belongings should not be left unattended.
• No more than two persons may use one workstation unless by special arrangement.
• No software or files may be uploaded or downloaded to or from the hard drive.
• All work should be saved to a personal storage device. No information should be saved to the c:/ drive. The Library is not responsible for crashes that lose saved or unsaved work.
• Only PPL employees may restart and log the computers onto the network. Patrons should report any problems to the Library staff. Patrons are not permitted to reboot computers.
• The Library assumes no responsibility for damage done to a patron's disk through use of public access PCs. We do our best to prevent viruses but are not responsible if disks become infected.
• Only library supplied paper may be used for printing. Printing charges are .10 cents/page for black and white pages and $.25 page for color pages.
• Any use of library equipment for illegal purposes is prohibited.
• Staff time for individualized training and software assistance is limited. The library offers free computer classes.

Internet Policy

It is the policy of the Puskarich Public Library System (PPL) to make Internet resources available to its customers along with collections of print, non-print and electronic reference resources. The addition of Internet resources provides access to information beyond that contained in this Library’s collections. Youth ages 17 and under cannot use an Internet computer without the signature of a parent or guardian.

The Puskarich Public Library System is a participant in The Ohio Public Information Network and complies with OPLIN policy on Public Use of OPLIN (http://tinyurl.com/avfao) and OPLIN policy to control access to obscene and illegal materials as defined in the Ohio Revised Code. The Puskarich Public Library System complies with Ohio Revised Code Section 2907.31 "Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles,” 2907.311 “Displaying Matter Harmful to Juveniles” and other provisions of the ORC.

Customers are required to agree to the following Internet Acceptable Use Agreement before using the Internet at the libraries in the Puskarich Public Library. The Library reserves the right to review this policy from time to time and make changes as necessary.
 

Internet Safety Net: A Guide for Parents

What Parents Should Know About the Internet:

The Internet is a global network of information networks accessible with a computer. Entertainment, education, and information are all at your fingertips. You can visit the world's great libraries, take a college course, play a game, or check weather forecasts and sports scores. Virtually anything you want to know can be found somewhere on the Internet.

However, not all the information that appears is accurate. Some people can be rude, obnoxious or exploitative face-to-face. The anonymity of a computer may encourage even more such behavior.

Does this mean you shouldn't allow your child to use the Internet? Of course not. It simply means that you should be on the alert and be aware of the risks. A few tips will ease your fears and allow you and your child to take advantage of this new technology.

Minimizing the Risks:

The best way to assure that your children have a positive online experience is to be aware of what they are doing.

• First, have your child show you how to access the Internet.
• Spend time with your children when they are online.
• Explore the wide range of information that is available and discuss with your child which topics you consider off-limits.
• Keep lines of communication open so that you can talk to your children and they will recognize that your interest in what they are doing is genuine. The same parenting skills that apply to the "real world" also apply while online.
• Monitor the amount of time your child spends with the computer. Excessive use of online services, especially late at night, may signal a potential problem.
• Set your own rules for Internet use.

Library Staff Assistance

As our knowledge increases and time allows, we will be glad to help you in accessing the Internet. Library staff cannot provide in-depth training, but we may be able to offer searching suggestions and answer questions.

Printing

You may print information obtained on the Internet for a small fee. After you have sent a print command, your material will be available for pickup at the main desk.
 

Puskarich Public Library System Acceptable Use Agreement

• I agree to use library computers for lawful purposes in a responsible manner, consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided, and to follow all rules concerning limited computer time.
• I will not use the Internet for any purpose prohibited by Ohio or federal law; misrepresent myself by access code, password or signature; alter hardware or software, nor make copies of copyrighted or licensed software or data unless such use is authorized.
• I understand that the Library does not monitor and has no control over materials obtained on the Internet, and cannot be held responsible for Internet content. The Puskarich Public Library System cannot control access to online content or protect patrons from online content they may find offensive.
• I understand that the Library is compliant with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), and has technology protection measures (TPM or "filters") on its computers, designed to protect against access to visual depictions that may reasonably be construed as 1.) obscene, 2.) child pornography, or 3.) harmful to minors. I will not send, receive or display sexually explicit materials nor materials deemed harmful to minors. I also agree to use appropriate discretion when viewing materials and will refrain from displaying material on a terminal when so requested by library staff. I understand that youth ages 17 and under cannot use an Internet computer without the signature of a parent or guardian. I also understand that parents and guardians of minors have both the right and the responsibility for their child’s use of the Internet computers at the Public Library to:
  • Assure their children’s safety and security when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of electronic communications;
  • Protect against unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by their children;
  • Protect against unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and
  • Restrict their children’s access to Internet sites that are harmful to minors.
• I waive my right to any claim against the Puskarich Public Library System, its employees, trustees, officers and agents arising from use of the Internet.
• I understand that failure to comply with this agreement may result in loss of computer privileges or banishment from all branches of the Puskarich Public Library System.
   

Security

Respect the privacy of others by not misrepresenting yourself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system, or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.
 

The Library's Internet Access Policy for Children and Young Adults

It is the policy of the Puskarich Public Library System to provide Internet access service to the public for library-related research, informational and learning purposes within the limits of available space, equipment and personnel resources. The Library strongly encourages parents to supervise their children's Internet and World Wide Web use. It is the parents' responsibility to determine what is appropriate for their own children to view. Library staff does not act in the place of a parent to restrict what a child or young adult may access.

Through signature, all users must agree to the Puskarich Public Library’s Internet Use Policy. A parent or guardian, through signature, is responsible for the access of young adults from the ages of 6 to 17.

Internet access may be limited to one hour depending on the demand for computers. All users of electronic information resources are expected to use the resources in a responsible manner. Use of library computers to send, receive or display inappropriate materials, defined as text or graphics which may reasonably construed as obscene, is prohibited.