Computer Use and the Internet at the Boulder Public Library

The Internet contains a wide variety of material and opinions from various points of view. Not all sources provide information that is accurate, complete or current, and some information may be considered offensive or inappropriate for certain age groups. While the Boulder Public Library is sensitive to the concerns of customers about Internet content, no one, including the Library, can control the information available on the Internet. Each individual is responsible for his or her own use of the Internet.

The Boulder Public Library's Role

The Boulder Public Library makes Internet resources accessible to all customers. The staff of the Boulder Public Library helps customers navigate, identify and access resources on the Internet. The staff reviews and recommends good sources of information on the Internet and develops special tools in order to assist customers in using the Internet. The staff and Docents of the Boulder Public Library also conduct classes for adults and children to instruct them in the effective use of the Internet.

The Library’s goal is to make the public computers at all BPL locations available to as many customers as possible. To accomplish this, the Boulder Public Library controls the amount of time any customer can use the public computers on a given day.

Internet Filters

Internet filters are software programs that block access to material that may be considered offensive. The Boulder Public Library complies with state and federal law mandating the use of filtering software in public libraries. It employs filtering software to protect against the depiction of illegal content.

The Boulder Public Library is committed to free and equal access to information. In compliance with state and federal law adults 17 or older may disable the filter on computers in the adult areas of the Library. The filtering software may not be disabled for children or on computers in designated children’s areas. Additionally, filtered search engines are available from the kids’ web site or on the search engines page of the main site.

No filtering software is totally accurate. Filters may falsely block constitutionally protected speech or they may fail to block access to illegal or objectionable material. The Boulder Public Library will respond to questions and concerns regarding the filter’s accuracy by communicating with the filtering software vendor towards improving its product.

Confidentiality and Privacy

The Boulder Public Library follows State and Federal Law regarding privacy of library users’ records and information.

It is the Boulder Public Library's practice to erase all customer use records, except those absolutely essential for library use. When a computer session is ended, all information about that session is deleted. It is not possible for the Library to retrieve any information, including web sites visited, passwords or credit card numbers entered, or any other information a customer has entered. At the end of the business day, all computer use and reservation records are erased.

Customers' Responsibility

There are a variety of services available on Library computers. Not all services are available at every computer and some computers may be dedicated for particular services. Customers shall not use the computers for:

• Office functions including the design and maintenance of web pages.
• Word processing except in the Library Lab at the Central Library and other designated workstations set up for this activity.
• Engaging in illegal activities.

Customers may not bypass the security of the network and must refrain from damaging or altering the configuration of the computer equipment at the Library, such as downloading or installing nonstandard software programs.

Children and the Internet

The Boulder Public Library believes that the reading and viewing activity of children is ultimately the responsibility of parents who guide and oversee their own children's development. The Boulder Public Library does not intrude on that relationship, except when mandated by law.

In order to help parents, BPL provides guided access through a specially designed web page with filtered search engines and selected web sites. Computers in children’s areas have Internet filtering software.

Parents are encouraged to read and follow these tips for "Internet-wise" parents:

• Take time to learn about the Internet.
• Take individual or group Internet classes, which are always available to families.
• Explore cyberspace with your children.
• Provide clear guidelines - let your children know if there are subjects that are off limits.
• Learn how to evaluate the Internet - read books and magazines and take a class offered by the Library.
• Teach your children safety rules for dealing with strangers online and appropriate ways to deal with online businesses.
• Ask a librarian - librarians have always been expert at selecting materials for children.