Internet Safety Policy

It is the policy of the Portsmouth Public Library to use technology protection measures in attempt to:

• Prevent access to or transmission of inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of electronic communication;
• Prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity;
• Prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use or dissemination of personal identification of minors; and
• Comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)].

Access to inappropriate Material To the extent practical, technology protection measures shall be used to block or filter Internet content. Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors, as defined in the CIPA.

Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled, during use by an adult, only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

Inappropriate Network Use To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Portsmouth Public Library’s online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications. Specifically, inappropriate network usage includes:

• Unauthorized access, including hacking and other unlawful activities; and
• Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

Supervision and Monitoring It shall be the responsibility of all members of the Portsmouth Public Library staff to supervise and monitor usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy, the Portsmouth Public Library Patron Access to the Internet Policy, and the CIPA.

Procedures for disabling or otherwise modifying (i.e., adding or excluding blocked sites) any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Technology Coordinator or designated representatives.

Terms:

Technology Protection Measure – a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet content Obscene – as defined in section 1460 of title 18 United States Code Child Pornography – as defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code Harmful to Minors – any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:

• Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex or excretion;
• Depicts, describes, or represents in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
• Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

Sexual Act; Sexual Contact – as defined in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code