The South River-Machar Union Public Library provides access to the Internet, enabling patrons to connect electronically to ideas, information and commentary from around the world.

The Internet is an unregulated, worldwide environment. It contains information and opinions that range in scope from reliable and authoritative to controversial or offensive. Users should assess the validity of all information found. The Library assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information accessed through the Internet. Similarly, the Library assumes no responsibility for costs damages in liabilities caused by the user or for any consequences of service interruptions or charges.

The intent of this policy is to clarify by example the guidelines which apply to determining whether a given use is acceptable. These guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive.

Patrons under the age of 17 years require written parental consent to access the Internet. The Library does not extend email privileges to patrons under the age of 17 years. Users under the age of 7 years must be directly supervised by a responsible adult. Patrons should be aware that Library staff will not always be available to help users. Serious users (ex., for research) will be given priority over recreational users. During times of heavy demand, users may be linited to half hour time limits.

User that are generally acceptable might include:

1) Recreational use including browsing game playing (free MUDs and MOOs) and newsgroups.

2) Uses related to the exchange of information including research. (Please note that IRC (internet relay chat) is not an acceptable use.)

3) Downloading to personal disk.

Use of the Internet computer is a privilege which may be revoked due to unacceptable usage. Unacceptable use might include:

l) Uses that violate federal or provincial laws.

2) Uses that interfere with the work of other users on the network or their host systems or that disrupt the network or that result in the loss of another user's work or system.

3) Use of abusive or objectionable language in messages.

4) Uses that may be considered malicious or unethical

5) The use of another Person's name or otherwise divulging identity inappropriately in a message or posting without prior permission from that person.

6) Uses related to "chain letters" or broadcasting lists of individuals that might cause congestion of the network.

7) Downloading to hard drive.

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