BERKSHIRE ATHENAEUM


INTERNET ACCESS AND SERVICES



INTRODUCTION:

The principal role of the Berkshire Athenaeum, continuing the long standing tradition of American libraries in our democratic society, is to ensure the availability of information and materials for independent, self-directed learning. It is the goal of the library that clienteles are provided with accurate and timely information. The Internet is one of the resource options the Athenaeum has in securing the needed information.

The Internet is a global collection of distinct national, regional and local computer networks capable of communicating with each other through a telecommunications network. Internet users will find an extraordinary range of information that is vast and ever growing, from searching library catalogs and campus information systems, to data files from research and government computers, to hundreds of local area and community networks, to a wide variety of information databanks. Internet can be used as a tool for job searching and career information, in legal research, locating pictures from the Library of Congress, looking at weather satellite photographs of the Unites States, and receiving information and tutorials to help get more out of the Internet.

While the Internet is an immense storehouse of information, it is not always what a user might expect. Because it consists of a collection of independent networks it is not centrally organized. There is no table of contents or index to help a user find what is needed. The Internet is a powerful tool for finding information, but it is not a substitute for other library resources. In many cases it will be easier to use reference books, magazines or more established computer databases to do research. Users should seek the assistance of reference librarians to help find the best sources for the needed information.

MISCELLANEOUS POLICY AND PROCEDURAL CONSIDERATIONS:

ACCEPTABLE USE: Access to and use of the Internet is a privilege and should be treated as such by all users of the system. The Athenaeum’s electronic information resources are to be used in a responsible manner consistent with the educational and informational purposes for which they are provided. The following purposeful, illegal and/or criminal activities constitute unacceptable use:


ACCESS: Both long and short-term Internet workstations are available at the Berkshire Athenaeum. Users must sign in at the Reference Desk before accessing the long-term workstation and may be routinely asked to present identification, preferably a valid library card in good standing. Persons with outstanding debt may be denied Internet use at the discretion of library personnel.

DOWNLOADING: As a protection against viruses there will be no downloading of information from the library’s public Internet work stations to a disk or hard drive. Under no circumstances may disks be introduced to the Internet work station unless by an authorized library employee.

E-MAIL: The library does not establish, maintain and/or actively facilitate the use of e-mail accounts, news groups, list-serves or chat-rooms for its users.

FILTERING OR BLOCKING SOFTWARE: The Athenaeum subscribes to the position adopted by the American Library Association (appended) that sees the use of filtering software on library Internet workstations as blocking Constitutionally protected speech and inconsistent with the United Stated Constitution and federal law. See also the section “Waiver of Responsibility” section which follows.

MISUSE: Violators of library policy, including these policies for Internet Access and Service, may lose library privileges. Anyone discovered attempting to damage the library’s equipment or software, attempting to change files or reset configurations, or otherwise violating this policy will immediately lose the right to use those resources. Violations of the policies for legal and ethical use of computing resources will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner. Illegal acts involving library computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state or federal authorities. Users are responsible for any damage to hardware, software or furniture. A librarian may check the workstations after each use.

OBSCENE MATERIALS: The library strives to balance the rights of patrons to access all types of information resources with the rights of patrons and staff to work in a public setting free from disruptive sounds and visuals. Patrons are reminded that the library’s computer terminals are located in public areas which are shared with library users and staff of all ages, backgrounds and sensibilities. Individuals are expected to consider this diversity and respect the sensibilities of others when accessing potentially offensive information or images. The deliberate display of
obscene1 materials is prohibited as a violation of Massachusetts General Law.2

PRINTING: Printouts are available from the long-term Internet work station only. The first ten pages printed are free. Any pages or partial pages in excess of ten pages are at a cost of $.10 per page which is payable when the user signs out from the service. This is a printing charge and not a paper charge, so that double-sided printing - using two sides of a single sheet of paper - will be credited as two copies.

RESERVATIONS: While walk-ins are welcomed on both short-term and long-term Internet workstations, patrons may reserve up to one half (_) hour of computer time on the long-term Internet computer only, either in person or by phone. These reservations may be made no more than 48 hours in advance. All reservations are handled by the Reference Department. Users arriving more than five minutes late for their reserved time may forfeit their reservation if another person wishes to use the computer.

SHUT DOWN: To facilitate lock up procedures, library personnel will begin to shut down workstations not in use fifteen minutes before the library closes.

TIME ALLOWED: Short-term Internet workstations are available for fifteen (15) minutes at a time with a maximum of no more than thirty (30) minutes if no one else is waiting to use a workstation. Library staff will assure that all interested patrons have an opportunity to search the Internet by enforcing, as necessary, the time limits that may be posted at the Internet work stations. Since the short-term Internet workstations are also the library’s OPAC (Online Public Access Computer) workstations, library staff will be enforcing this time restriction to ensure access to the library’s catalog as well. Users of the long-term Internet workstation may sign up for one half (_) hour of computer time by the method described under “Reservations” above.

TRAINING: Internet beginners may be interested in attending an Internet Basics lecture scheduled periodically by the library. Interested users should ask at the Reference Department to see if one has been or may be scheduled. The Internet is a new frontier of information resources and Athenaeum requests the cooperation and patience of Internet users as we learn about this new electronic world. While library staff may be happy to try, they cannot guarantee either sufficient time or knowledge to solve Internet-related questions.

USER LIMITS: Users may be accompanied by only one other person at the work station.

VALIDITY: Internet users are cautioned to examine carefully the validity and accuracy of any information obtained over the Internet as well as the validity of its source.

WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The Berkshire Athenaeum does not actively monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content, authority, reliability, currency or use. Neither the Board of trustees of the Berkshire Athenaeum, the Athenaeum staff, nor the City of Pittsfield is liable for any negative consequences that may occur as a result of using the library’s Internet connection.

The Berkshire Athenaeum is a strong advocate for free speech and free expression so long as it is not at odds with applicable state and/or federal law. As with other library materials, the library affirms the parent’s or legal guardian’s right and responsibility for monitoring their children’s use of electronic resources. The Athenaeum rejects attempts to censor electronic communications. It is not possible for library staff to control specific information library users may locate on the Internet because the resources available are constantly changing. Just as libraries do not vouch for or endorse the viewpoints of written material in their collections, they do not do so for electronic information. Selection policies which serve the more traditional library materials may not apply to material accessed electronically. It is the responsibility of the user (or parent, guardian or caregiver) to determine what is appropriate. The Athenaeum expects parents who are concerned about their children’s use of electronic resources to provide guidance to their own children.

The Berkshire Athenaeum has a responsibility to provide material and information presenting all points of view, and the Athenaeum supports access to all formats of material to meet the user’s informational needs, regardless of the user’s age or the content of the material. Parents concerned about their children’s use of electronic resources are ultimately responsible for setting standards and establishing guidelines, and may wish to spend time on-line with their children to discuss the wealth of information available.













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1 The standard for “obscenity” was set forth in Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15 (1973).

2 MGL, Chapter 272, Section 29: Crimes Against Morality, Good Order - Dissemination or Possession of Obscene Matter; and Chapter 272, Section 31: Crimes Against Morality, Good Order - Definitions.