Internet Policy

The Knox County Public Library provides internet access to the public at computer terminals in the main library and the McGrady-Brockman House. Internet access is also available to the public via Wifi on the premises of the main library.

Computer terminals are available to the public on a first come, first served basis. All users must follow the library’s acceptable use policy. Individuals may use the terminals for a maximum of two hours per day. During the Covid-19 pandemic, users are limited to using the terminals for a maximum of one hour per day.

It’s beneficial for patrons to have some prior knowledge of the internet before accessing it on a librarycomputer terminal. Library staff members may not always be able to provide assistance to patrons at publicaccess terminals.

Knox County Public Library staff members reserve the right to have any patron relinquish the use of a public access computer when abuse of the Acceptable Use policy is suspected. Internet use at the Knox County Public Library is a privilege and not a right. Library staff members have the authority to have patrons leave internet terminals at any time.

Internet Safety Policy

Adopted by the Knox County Public Library Board on June 18, 2002.

While using computer and internet services provided by the Knox County Public Library, persons of all ages
shall NOT do the following:
1. Access, transmit, upload, download or distribute material or language that is pornographic, abusive, sexually explicit, obscene, harmful to minors or otherwise inappropriate for use in a public library;*
2. Engage in any illegal activities on the internet;
3. Vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another individual or organization;
4. Violate copyright or otherwise use intellectual property of another individual or organization without permission;
5. Engage in hacking or attempts to otherwise compromise any computer of computer network.
6. Persons under the age of 18 shall not disclose personal identification information on the internet.

Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Adopted in June, 1996 and Revised by the Knox County Public Library Board in May, 1999
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The Knox County Public Library shall provide usage of the internet for the purposes of education and research.
1. Users must respect all copyright laws and licensing agreements pertaining to the internet.
2. Knox County Public Library makes no warranties, expressed or implied, that the functions or content of the internet will meet any user’s specific requirement; or that it will be error-free or trouble-free, current or uninterrupted; nor shall the Knox County Public Library be liable for any damages sustained in connection with access to the internet.
3. Knox County Public Library cannot control the data on the internet. It is impossible for the library to remove access to data which might be offensive. The library will attempt to prohibit access to data which is inappropriate in a public library setting.
4. While the library staff will attempt to monitor usage of the internet by patrons under the age of 18,it’s ultimately the responsibility of parents/guardians to control their children’s usage of the internet. The Knox County Public Library respects the parent/child relationship and will do nothing to interfere with it.

Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
The Knox County Public Library has determined that it is beneficial to its operations to join the Indiana State Library Consortium for Public Library Internet Access. The Knox County Public Library Board recognizes that being part of the Indiana State Library Consortium for Public Library Internet Access requires following certain rules, including:

A) Filtering all computers in order to receive the e-Rate discount on vendor invoices
B) To receive this funding, the library agrees to follow the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Information about the law is found below.

Background
The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was enacted by Congress in 2000 to address concerns about children’s access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet. CIPA imposes certain requirements on schools or libraries that receive discounts for Internet access or internal connections through the E-rate program – a program that makes certain communications services and products more affordable for eligible5schools and libraries. In early 2001, the FCC issued rules implementing CIPA and provided updates to those rules in 2011.

What CIPA Requires
Schools and libraries subject to CIPA may not receive the discounts offered by the E-rate program unless they certify that they have an Internet safety policy that includes technology protection measures. The protection measures must block or filter Internet access to pictures that are: (a) obscene; (b) child pornography; or (c) harmful to minors (for computers that are accessed by minors). Before adopting this Internet safety policy, schools and libraries must provide reasonable notice and hold at least one public hearing or meeting to address the proposal.

Schools and libraries subject to CIPA are required to adopt and implement an Internet safety policy addressing:

(a) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet;
(b) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications;
(c) unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,” and other unlawful activities by minors online;
(d) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and
(e) measures restricting minors’ access to materials harmful to them.
Schools and libraries must certify they are in compliance with CIPA before they can receive E-rate funding.

• CIPA does not apply to schools and libraries receiving discounts only for telecommunications service only;
• An authorized person may disable the blocking or filtering measure during use by an adult to enableaccess for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
• CIPA does not require the tracking of Internet use by minors or adults.

Registering for a Library Card
To register for a library card, two forms of current identification must be presented. This identification must be in the form of an official letter with the registrant’s current address shown on the letter or envelope. Acceptable forms of identification are utility bills, rent receipts, current driver’s license or government issued identification card. For residents of Knox County, Indiana, there’s no charge for a library card. The cost to replace a library card is $2.00.

To access personal library cards from personal devices on the library’s MyLibrary app, it’s necessary to create a personal identification number (PIN).
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There’s no limit on the number of books, books on sound recordings or PlayAways for patrons to borrow at one time.
The limit on the number of DVDs to borrow at one time is six.
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The library makes available a limited number of WiFi Hot Spots borrowing for use at work, home and school. There’s a $50.00 deposit fee for borrowing the WiFi. One patron per household may borrow a WiFiHot Spot a maximum of once per month.