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Requirements for Use of Electronic Information Systems

It is the responsibility of the library user to read the current version of this document before using the electronic information systems of the Connecticut State Library (CSL). Users who violate the policies and procedures outlined in this document will be considered to have undertaken "Unauthorized or improper use of library... equipment" and, in accordance with the Library's User Conduct Policy, may be asked to leave the Connecticut State Library, and may lose CSL library privileges. Users who employ the electronic information systems of the Connecticut State Library to commit illegal acts may also be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.

Software, databases, CD-ROM products, Internet access, and other on-line information resources are selected and provided for the use of Connecticut State Library users in accordance with the Library's Mission Statement and Collection Development Policy. Use of these resources shall be consistent with the Connecticut State Library's Mission Statement, User Conduct Policy, and other Library policies and procedures. Use of these resources shall also be consistent with applicable state, federal, and international laws. The Connecticut State Library reserves the right to terminate or change, without notice, access to specific electronic information sources and/or the conditions of use of its electronic information.

1. General Conditions of Use
   The Connecticut State Library, to the extent specifically authorized by law, recognizes the Library Bill of Rights and the American Library Association Freedom to Read Statement as its guiding principles. In accordance with those principles, the Connecticut State Library provides electronic information resources to all users.

   Parents or legal guardians of minors must assume the same responsibility for a minor's use of electronic information resources that they assume with other library materials. Any restriction of a minor's access to, or use of, those resources shall be the responsibility of the minor's parent or legal guardian. (See under III. D. 1. b. below).

2. Specific Conditions of Use
   In order to guarantee equal and fair access to electronic information systems for all users, and to protect the systems, the Connecticut State Library expects that users utilize the systems in positive ways. The following specific conditions of use shall apply:

   Users may

   • access the library's electronic information systems on a first-come, first-served basis.
   • use the electronic information systems in designated one-hour blocks.
   • Users may sign up for a single workstation for one hour or what remains of an hour, signing up for only one block of time. Once the initial time block has been used, users may sign up for an additional block if no one else has requested the use of that computer. If the computer is not used within the first fifteen minutes of the time block, staff may reallocate the time to another person. A maximum of two users may work together at a single workstation. Exceptions for training or school groups may be made by the librarian.
   • download information to disk only as permitted by copyright laws and/or licensing agreements. The Connecticut State Library staff will provide pre-formatted 3.5" disks on request. Users may not use their own disks or other personal storage devices when downloading information.

   Users may not

   • alter, change, or modify computer configurations or attempt to do so:

   • By uploading, installing, setting up, running, or executing any program or software. This includes software and "plug-ins" available on the Internet.
   • By violating the security of any computer system in any way, including but not limited to, obtaining or employing, without authorization, computer access codes, passwords, or identification numbers assigned to others.
   • remove, damage, deface, alter without authorization, or destroy computer hardware and/or peripheral equipment and accessories belonging to the Connecticut State Library or other persons or organizations.
   • violate the privacy of other users.
   • violate the terms of the licenses under which the library offers the use of software and data.
   • "bookmark" sources of electronic information. However, users are encouraged to inform library staff of appropriate and useful resources not presently "bookmarked" so that the staff may evaluate them for possible inclusion.
   • use any workstation or equipment to conduct the day to day operation of a business, including advertising, buying, or selling.

   • display obscene or sexually explicit graphics. The Connecticut State Library serves all members of the public, including minors, and its computer access terminals are in a public and open environment.

3. Limitations of Liability

   1. General
      The General Disclaimer of the Connecticut State Library regarding its electronic information resources is that, as with any information medium, materials accessed through the electronic information systems may not be accurate, complete, reliable, or current. The State Library takes no responsibility for electronic information, or for the improper or incorrect use thereof. It encourages users to evaluate electronic materials just as they do printed or other items.

      The Connecticut State Library disclaims any warranty of the accuracy, authoritativeness, timeliness, usefulness, or legality of the information obtained from its electronic information systems, including but not limited to the CSL Internet Homepage, the CSL on-line catalog, servers of the Connecticut State Library's electronic information systems, CD-ROM products, external networks, and proprietary databases.

   2. Copyrights
      The Connecticut State Library provides access to copyrighted materials, including copyrighted electronic materials. Responsibility for the consequences of copyright infringement shall lie with the user. The Connecticut State Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility resulting from copyright infringement by users.

   3. Computer viruses
      External computers and networks may be unregulated and may contain viruses or other files potentially harmful to users' computer systems. Responsibility for identifying and eliminating viruses in transmission, data files, or programs obtained from or through the Connecticut State Library's electronic information systems or electronic systems accessed by CSL's electronic information systems, shall lie with the user. The Connecticut State Library expressly disclaims liability or responsibility for damages resulting from viruses or other files contained in or obtained through the Library's information systems.

   4. The Internet
      1. Public Internet Access.

         1. The State Library Board has adopted the following as library policy:
            The Connecticut State Library does not monitor or control the information accessed through the Internet, and cannot be held responsible for its content. As with other Library materials, any restriction of a minor's access to and use of the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.

         2. Parents/guardians should be aware that the Internet is an unregulated medium, and that the access provided at the Connecticut State Library, as is appropriate in a special library, is unfiltered. In an effort to educate parents and children about the benefits and dangers of this resource, the Library recommends that parents and minors read ALA's The Librarian's Guide to Cyberspace for Parents & Kids before using the Internet at the Connecticut State Library.

      2. Connecticut State Library Home Page and CONSULS WebPac catalog
         The Connecticut State Library Home Page and CONSULS WebPac catalog provide users easy access to a variety of information about the State Library. With regard to its Home Page and WebPac catalog, the Connecticut State Library incorporates by reference the "Purpose and Scope," "Disclaimer," and "Data Distribution and Statement of Liability" sections of the State of Connecticut Disclaimers and Permissions Home Page.

      3. Links to other Internet sites
         The Connecticut State Library provides "bookmarks" and links to the World Wide Web from its Home Page in keeping with its Mission Statement and Collection Development Policy. The Library maintains a strict standard of excellence in all items associated with the State Library web site, even those that are associated with it through links from the site. However, due to the unregulated nature of the Internet, the Connecticut State Library cannot monitor sites to which it links, nor any subsequent links. Material from external networks may contain information that is controversial, offensive, disturbing, erroneous, or illegal. The Connecticut State Library cannot control access points to or the information found on external networks and shall not be held responsible for the content, presentation, or use of that information.

         Any references to organizations, specific commercial products, processes, or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturers, or otherwise, do not necessarily constitute or imply any endorsement or recommendation by the Connecticut State Library.

      4. Personal Information
         The Connecticut State Library is not, and cannot be, responsible for maintaining the privacy or confidentiality of personal or personally identifiable information provided by a user to a third party via the Internet.

4. Confidentiality of Records
   Transaction logs and any other information that may identify specific data, files, programs, or other electronic materials which a user has consulted, are considered by the Connecticut State Library to be confidential under the terms of the Library's Circulation Records - Confidentiality Policy and shall not be divulged to anyone other than the user, except as otherwise provided in the following two paragraphs and in III.D.4.

   All users are advised that such records shall not be made available to any agency of the local, state, or federal government except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, local, state, or federal law relating to criminal, civil, or administrative procedures or legislative investigatory power.

   Users of Internet browsing software should be aware that the history of sites visited on the web is not private or secure.

The Connecticut State Library acknowledges with thanks the Chatham-Effingham-Liberty Regional Library (Savannah, Georgia), Glendale Public Library (Glendale, Arizona), McAllen Memorial Library (McAllen, Texas), New Milford Public Library (New Milford, Connecticut), Portland Public Library (Portland, Connecticut), and Southbury Public Library (Southbury, Connecticut) for sharing documents from which CSL adapted portions of these guidelines.

CSL Information Services Division, December 1997