I. Library Mission Statement
The Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library is committed to providing its customers with the
latest advances in information technology in keeping with its stated mission to provide
"current information and entertainment in response to the community." The Internet,
a vast global electronic network, is the newest and one of the most significant of these
electronic information resources. It offers unlimited information of every kind, both
educational and recreational.
II. Internet Philosophy
The Internet is an unregulated source of information, and not all information found there
is accurate, objective, current or complete. There is material that may be offensive,
disturbing, or illegal. The Library cannot control or monitor the seemingly infinite mass
of material on the Internet; therefore it is the responsibility of the user to critically
evaluate the information found.
III. Responsibilities of Internet Users
The Internet contains some printed and visual materials, which some parents may find
inappropriate for their children. Restriction of a minor’s access to the Internet is the
responsibility of the parent or guardian. Library staff cannot act in the place of parents
in providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet.
The Library System applies a filtering system to their computers to protect against access
to visual depictions that are obscene, contain child pornography, or are harmful to minors.
However, access to Internet sites containing “adult” content, as well as on-line communication
with anonymous persons, is still possible. This is because no filtering system has been found to be perfect
and there can be no guarantees that our filtering system will block undesirable sites 100% of the time.
In order for the library to be in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and
with section 42. 1-36.1 of the Code of Virginia, the following regulations, provisions, and
recommendations are provided for Library Internet use:
- All Internet accessible computers are filtered and may be used by patrons of any age without restrictions.
- Adult patrons (18 years and older) may request from Library staff unfiltered access to the Internet,
without explanation. Adult patrons may not request unfiltered access to the Internet for anyone under 18
years of age.
- Computer resources may not be used for the following purposes:
- Violation of any applicable federal, state, or local laws, ordinances, rules, or regulations.
- Harassment of other persons or parties.
- Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or other users.
- Gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to any computing, information, or communication
devises or resources.
- Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications.
- Unauthorized copying of copyright or other protected material.
- Violation of computer security or privacy.
- Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers assigned to others.
- Violation of software license agreements.
- Access or transmit illegal activity, child pornography, sexually explicit material that appeals to the prurient
interest, or any other material that is not constitutionally protected.
- Online dissemination of obscene or harmful to minors materials, including those for the specific purpose
of inducing them to engage in or perform sexual acts.
- Violation of another person’s or party’s privacy.
- Use of computer facilities in ways that unnecessarily impede the computing activities of others (such as
randomly initiating electronic communications or email exchanges, overuse of interactive network utilities, etc.)
- Library computers are not to be used for commercial activities.
- For any content on a computer screen that the library, in its sole discretion, to constitutional limitations,
and in consideration of the best interests of the public, determines to be an unacceptable purpose,
a staff member may request the patron using the computer to cease viewing the offending computer site.
Further, a patron has the right to lodge a complaint concerning any instance in which the patron believes
the MFRLS filtering system fails to block a site that should be blocked according to the Children’s
Internet Protection Act. Suggestion/Comment boxes are available in all MFRLS locations.
Any staff member who observes any violation of MFRLS Internet policies will take action to enforce
compliance. In this regard, failure to comply with MFRLS policies can result in suspension or cancellation
of Internet access, and/or, in some cases, legal proceedings.
In order to make the Internet available to as many people as possible and to ensure that it is used in a
manner consistent with Library policies, the Library has adopted and will post rules regarding use of electronic
resources. All users are asked to respect the privacy of other users and not attempt to censor or comment
upon what others are viewing. However, the library is a public place used by people of all ages. Internet use
should be appropriate to this situation. All Internet users are expected to use Library Internet access
in a responsible and legal manner, consistent with the educational, informational, and recreational purposes
for which it is provided.
IV. Staff Assistance
The Library, because of staffing limitations, cannot provide the public with in-depth training in using the
Internet. Library staff will offer searching suggestions, answer questions, recommend information sources, or
otherwise assist members of the public in getting the information they are seeking.
Anyone using the Library’s facilities to access the Internet agrees to abide by the Library’s
policies, guidelines, and procedures. Users also agree to hold harmless the Library for any liability
or damage claim arising from any use or misuse of Internet access.
Misuse of the computer or Internet access may result in loss of computer and other library privileges,
at the discretion of the Library staff. The Library reserves the right to take all appropriate
actions to insure compliance with its Internet policies, guidelines, and procedures. The Library
reserves the right to immediately terminate any Internet search session.
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