Snyder County Libraries, Inc is a non-profit corporation that has the right to determine how the library will be used, who has access, and what constitutes acceptable behavior and use.

• People must engage only in activities associated with the use of a public library.
• Loitering, profanity, disruptive behavior, bullying and abusive language are not permitted in or around the library.
• Prior approval is required to take photographs, audio or video recordings, to broadcast live or to live stream in the library.
• Noise and other activity must be kept at a reasonable level which will not disturb others browsing, reading or working in the library.
• No weapons of any kind are permitted in the library.
• People with flu-like symptoms or other potentially serious, contagious respiratory diseases should refrain from using the library.
• Please respect library property.  No littering.  Do not deface or damage books or other library property.  Please be careful not to spill food or drinks.
• Animals are not permitted in the library, except for service animals.
• Smoking, vaping, or any type of tobacco use is not permitted anywhere in the library.
• Alcoholic beverages are prohibited, except during library-sponsored events and approved group functions in accordance with the Meeting Room Policy.
• Appropriate attire is required, including shirts and shoes.  People whose personal hygiene is offensive so as to constitute a nuisance to others may be required to leave the building.
• Sleeping and bathing are prohibited.
• No solicitation is permitted without prior approval.
• Backpacks and other belongings must not be left unattended.
• Children under the age of 9 must be supervised at all times by a responsible person.  See Unattended Child Policy for more information.
• Sports equipment brought to the library must be left at the front desk. (i.e. skateboards, basketballs).  The library will not be responsible for this equipment.
• Any other behavior that interferes with the library’s purpose as stated above is not allowed.
• The Executive Director or his/her designee, at their discretion, has the authority to enter into a behavioral contract on behalf of the library system with a person who may otherwise be barred from the library.
• Anybody, of any age, not abiding by these or other rules and regulations of the library may be required to leave the library premises.
• Library employees have been instructed to contact the police whenever they deem it necessary.
• Anybody who violates these rules and regulations may be denied the privilege of access to the Snyder County Libraries by the Library’s Board of Trustees, on the recommendation of the Executive Director.
• A person whose privileges have been denied may have the decision reviewed by the Board of Trustees.

Adopted December 20, 2005, Revised July 24, 2007, Revised October 27, 2009, Revised May 28, 2013

Revised May 24, 2016, Revised May 23, 2017

Snyder County Libraries Board of Trustees

Internet Access

The Internet, a worldwide network of computer networks is an essential medium for obtaining and transmitting information of all types. Therefore, public access to the Internet is germane to the Library’s mission.

However, the Internet is an unregulated medium. It also provides access to information that is inaccurate, illegal or that some may find offensive or disturbing. The Library will identify on its web site specific Internet sites that have potential interest for Library users. But the Library cannot control a user’s access to other Internet resources.

Responsibilities of Library Staff and Users

Library staff will not monitor a user’s Internet use, except for length of use in order to ensure equal opportunity of access for everyone. The user, or the parent of a minor, is responsible for his or her Internet session at all times.

The Library reserves the right to terminate an Internet session that disrupts library services or that involves user behavior that violates the Library’s policies.

As with all Library resources, the Library affirms the right and responsibility of parents/guardians, NOT Library staff, to determine and monitor their minor children’s use of the Internet. (Minors are defined in this policy as children and young people under the age of 17 years.) Parents are responsible for their minor children’s use of the Library’s resources and facilities. Parents who believe that their children cannot responsibly use the Library’s Internet access are requested to monitor their children’s Internet use.

Disclaimers

While the Library endeavors to provide access to information of the highest quality, the Library specifically disclaims any warrant as to the information’s accuracy, timeliness, authoritativeness, usefulness or fitness for a particular purpose.

The Library will have no liability for direct, indirect or consequential damages related to the use of information accessed through the Library’s Internet service.

The Library, having installed and enforced the operation of filtering software in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, will have no liability for damages related to the operation of, or failure of, the filtering software, or for its circumvention by users.  Adult patrons may ask to have the filter disabled for the time they are using the computer.

Since software and information downloaded from any sources, including the Internet, may contain computer viruses, users are advised to utilize virus-checking software on their home computers. The Library is not responsible for damage to users’ disks or computers or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from use of the Library’s computers.

Unacceptable Uses of Computers

Among the uses that are considered unacceptable and which constitute a violation of this policy are the following:

1. Uses that violate the law or encourage others to violate the law. Transmitting of offensive or harassing messages; offering for sale or use any substance the possession or use of which is prohibited by law; viewing, transmitting or downloading pornographic materials or materials that encourage others to violate the law; downloading or transmitting confidential, trade secret information, or copyrighted materials. Even if materials on the networks are not marked with the copyright symbol, users should assume that all materials are protected unless there is explicit permission on the materials to use them.
2. Uses that cause harm to others or damage to their property. Engaging in defamation (harming another’s reputation by lies); uploading a worm, virus, “trojan horse,” “time bomb” or other harmful form of programming or vandalism; participating in “hacking” activities or any form of unauthorized access to other computers, networks, or information systems.
3. Uses that jeopardize the security of access of the computer network or other networks on the Internet. Disclosing or sharing the user’s password with others; impersonating another user; using one’s own software programs on the library’s computers; altering the Library’s computer settings; damaging or modifying computer equipment or software.
4. Uses that compromise the safety and security of minors when using e-mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications. Minors under age 17: giving others private information about one’s self or others, including credit card numbers and social security numbers; arranging a face-to-face meeting with someone one has “met” on the computer network or Internet without a parent’s permission.
5. Uses that Violate Confidentiality of Information. Section 428, The Library Code, Act of June 14, 1961, P.L 324 as amended through July 1, 2000 prohibits unauthorized disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal information regarding Library users, including minors. Personally identifiable information about users may not be disclosed or used in any way, except to law enforcement authorities as provided in the law. Users should be aware, however, that due to the technical difficulties involved in providing absolute security, transactions and files may become public.
6. Uses that prevent or limit others from using the computers. Viewing, downloading or otherwise using library-owned or personally-owned computers in such as way that Internet access is slowed down for others; not ending computer sessions in a timely manner.

The Library, either by itself, in combination with its Internet access provider or a third-party vendor has installed filtering software on all library computers with Internet access, and will enforce the operation of same during any use of those computers, to prevent minors from accessing visual depictions that are (1) obscene, (2) child pornography, or (3) harmful to minors.  The library reserves the right to install firewalls and other hardware/software within the libraries in order to restrict usage of library-owned and personally-owned computers in an effort to prevent speed degradation and to protect children from viewing materials that are potentially detrimental.

The term “harmful to minors” is defined by the Communications Act of 1934 (47 USC Section 254 [h][7]), as meaning any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that

• taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
• depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals;
• taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

Filtering software is not foolproof. It diminishes the likelihood that searchers will inadvertently retrieve text or images that they may find offensive, but does not eliminate that possibility. Filters often block access to sites that users would consider both inoffensive and useful.

If you do not find what you need, please do not hesitate to ask a librarian for help. Technology protection measures may be disabled by a library staff member, as necessary, for bona fide research or other lawful purposes by people aged 17 and older.

Procedures

The Library staff has developed such rules and procedures as are necessary to ensure the fair and reasonable use of Internet access.

Response to Violations

The user’s access to the Library’s computer network and Internet is a privilege, not a right. A user violates this policy by his or her own action or by failing to report any violations by other users that come to the attention of the user. Further, a user violates this policy if he or she permits another to use his or her account or password to access the computer network and Internet. Failure to comply with this policy and its procedures will result in the forfeiture of the user’s right to access these computers.

Portions of the above taken from Sample Internet Use Policy That Includes Language Required in the Neighborhood Children’s Protection Act, last updated May 31, 2002, New Jersey State Library

Adopted November 22, 2005

Revised November 30, 2010

Snyder County Libraries Board of Trustees

As a service to our patrons with WI-FI (802.11b/g) enabled laptop computers, or other WI-FI enabled communications / computing devices, Snyder County Libraries, Inc. provides open Internet access at our facilities.   Patrons wishing to use the service must comply with our policy and understand the following information:

• The libraries’ WI-FI connections at this time are provided via open, unsecured wireless networks.  Hence, users should beware and take caution.  Cautious and informed wireless users connecting to open, unsecured networks always ensure their device’s data is secure before connecting, and limit the transmission of credit card information, passwords, or other sensitive personal information.
• Snyder County Libraries, Inc. will not be held responsible for any of your information that is compromised, or for any damage caused to your hardware or software, due to your use of these open, unsecured wireless networks.
• The library staff cannot provide tech support services for the use of these networks; such as assisting you in the process of connecting to or using the network.  This includes installing hardware or software on your personally owned equipment to utilize the service.  We will, however, be happy to help you with library resources such as the library catalog, Access PA, and general search-related questions.
• Laptop computer users must be considerate of patrons nearby and refrain from excessive noise and the displaying of potentially objectionable images.  If you are using your computer in a manner that is inconsiderate of others, a staff member may ask you to end your session.
• The library does not filter Internet content accessible to patrons who are connected to the libraries’ open, unsecured WI-FI networks – no matter what computer or communications device is being utilized to connect to the networks.  Parents wishing filtered access for their children should direct their children to one of the library’s public access computers, or install and manage filtering software on the child’s computer.
• Printing is not available while using the wireless networks.
• Patrons connecting to the Internet via the libraries’ open, unsecured WI-FI networks must comply with all provisions of Snyder County Libraries, Inc.’s Internet Usage Policy and Library Use Policy.