Ashland City Library
Introduction
Public access to the Internet and online services has become an integral part of the Ashland City Library’s programs and services. The intent of this policy is to meet the provisions of the Kansas Children’s Internet Protection Act, as well as provide guidelines for patrons and staff regarding online computer use of Internet accessible computers.
The purpose of the Internet Safety Policy of Ashland City Library is to implement and enforce technology protection measures to: ensure that no minor has access to visual depictions that are child pornography, harmful to minors, or obscene; and ensure that no person has access to visual depictions that are child pornography or obscene while using a public access computer.
Developed under the direction of the Board of the Ashland City Library, this Internet Safety Policy was discussed and adopted during an open meeting of the Library Board on January 11, 2021. This policy supersedes all previous Internet Safety Policy statements of the Ashland City Library and is effective on January 12, 2021.
This policy document will be reviewed by the Ashland City Library Board at least every three years.
Legal Requirements
The Ashland City Library Internet Safety Policy complies with the applicable requirements of subsection (b) and L. 2013, ch. 98, sec. 1, and amendments thereto, commonly known as the Kansas Children’s Internet Protection Act.
The Ashland City Library has in place a policy of Internet safety for minors, including the operation of a technology protection measure or other process that blocks or filters online access to visual depictions that are child pornography, harmful to minors or obscene as defined in L. 2013, ch. 98, sec.1.
Supervision and Monitoring
Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled only for bona fide research or other lawful purpose.
It shall be the responsibility of all members of the Ashland City Library staff to supervise and monitor usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy and the Kansas Children’s Internet Protection Act.
Patrons who encounter web sites which they believe should be blocked but which are not, or who are prevented from accessing web sites which they believe should not be blocked may submit a complaint. This should be given in writing to the library director or staff member in charge and include the URL of the site in question and whether the request is to block or unblock it. Staff shall examine the site and determine whether it should be blocked or unblocked. If the technology protection measure being used is a regional service, the information and recommendation shall be forwarded to the appropriate regional staff.
Complaints about enforcement of this policy or observed patron behavior which violate this policy shall also be submitted in writing to the library director or staff member in charge, providing as much detail as possible.
The library shall inform patrons of the provisions of this policy, including the standards used and procedures for complaint, by making the policy available on the library’s web site and in print at the circulation desk.