The Internet
Spokane County Library District
provides public Internet access to supplement our materials collections,
and just like all of our other library resources, Internet access
is available to children.
The Web can provide children
with a nearly instant connection to reference
information, homework support, museums, news,
weather, foreign countries, sports, book reviews,
encyclopedias, dictionaries, information on animals,
etc. In addition, it can provide email access.
But there’s also material on the Web that’s
inappropriate for children.
Library Internet Access
A library card is required to
use all Internet stations. In compliance with the Children’s
Internet Protection Act, cards for minors (age 16 and under)
are coded to block access to images that are obscene, child
pornography, or harmful to minors, as defined by federal law.
Parents may request that their children have no Internet access.
For adults (age 17 and above), the default access level blocks
images that are obscene or child pornography. However, adults
who believe that the Filtering software also may block their
access to legal material may choose unfiltered access when
beginning each Internet session.
At least one computer station in or adjacent to the children’s
area of each branch provides only the age 16 and under Filtering
level.
Getting started
A good starting point for children who want to
use the Internet is our own website — www.scld.org.
It offers regularly updated resources for kids,
teens, and homework.
For parents interested in learning
more about using the Internet, SCLD’s website
includes links to resources on search techniques
and evaluating Web sites.
And remember that SCLD staff is available to help customers
and provide information and materials to meet their needs.
Safety suggestions
Even with filtered Internet access,
children may encounter inaccurate information or offensive
material. We can’t ensure that the software used to block
adult-oriented, sexually-explicit material will be 100% effective
since the Internet is a vast and unregulated network with sites
added and removed frequently. The software also may block unintended
sites, restricting access to desired information.
Some websites may solicit personal
information (such as name, address, phone number,
credit card number, password, PIN) that you don’t
want your children to supply. We encourage you to guide them as
they learn to use the Internet. You’re responsible for
your children’s use of the Web. We offer the following
suggestions to help keep them safe when they’re online.
- Explore sites together whenever possible.
- Stay in touch with what your
child is doing.
- Talk to your child about what
you consider appropriate and set out rules appropriate to your
child’s age.
-
Get to know the sites and services
your child uses.
-
Discuss critical thinking skills
with your child and how to use and evaluate information found
on the Internet.
-
Teach your child to recognize
commercial advertising or marketing and to distinguish it from
other information.
-
Tell your child the circumstances
under which it’s OK to provide personal information.
-
Ask your child to come to you
whenever s/he encounters a problem or feels uncomfortable.
-
Please be aware that even Filtered
Internet access may not protect your child from material that
your family might find offensive.
The law
We expect all library customers
to obey state and federal laws. Copyright laws make it illegal
to take work from the Web and call it your own or to copy
and distribute photos, stories, writing, or other work unless
they’re approved for public use. Breaking into a computer
or system, known as hacking, is illegal
Anything legal in print is generally legal on the Web. Child
pornography, however, is clearly illegal. While our staff doesn’t
monitor what people view on the Web, we’ll immediately
contact the local law enforcement agency if we become aware
that this type of material is being displayed or printed.
SCLD Policy
Your use of the Internet in District
libraries is governed by our Customer Use of Internet Resources
Policy, our Internet Use Agreement, our Customer Conduct Policy
and our Children’s Safety in Libraries Policy. For more
details ask any staff member.
And remember that SCLD staff members are always available
to help customers find information and materials to meet their
needs.
This information is also available as a brochure in each county
library branch.
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