Braddock Carnegie Library: Policies
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Borrowing Policy
Computer and Internet Access and Use and Use of Disks Policy
CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) Compliance Policy
Vulnerable Child Policy

Borrowing Policy

A valid library card is required to check out materials and to use the computers. 

The following information is needed to apply for a library card:
      Identification
      Proof of address
      Unique identification number, such as Social Security Number or Drivers License Number.

Adult library cards are issued to applicants who are 17 years of age or older.
Child library cards are issued to applicants who are 16 years of age or younger.  Parent/legal guardian's signature is required.

The patron is responsible for paying any fines charged for late returns and may be charged replacement cost in the event of damage or loss of library property.

The Library reserves the right to limit or revoke borrowing privileges based upon the patron's borrowing record.

Computer and Internet Access and Use and Use of Disks Policy
Adopted February 21, 2002

Purpose:  To promote and encourage the responsible use of the Internet as an information resource for Library patrons of all ages.

Statement of Policy:

1.  Access to Internet Resources:  Internet access as an information source at the Braddock Carnegie Library significantly supplements the Library's existing collection, and extends the Library's commitment to meeting the community's information needs.  As a new and innovative medium, however, the Internet presents a number of significant challenges to both the Library and to patrons in understanding and evaluating both the benefits and the risks it offers.  This policy represents the Library's best judgment about the most effective way to offer patrons access to this valuable but sometimes controversial resource.

1.1.  The Internet, as an information resource, enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collection.  It allows access to ideas, information, and commentary from around the globe that can be personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages.

1.2.  Despite the information resource it offers, the Internet is currently a largely unregulated medium, although in certain circumstances, under the laws of Pennsylvania the display to minors of some obscene or sexually explicit materials accessible through the Internet may constitute an act of public indecency in violation of 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Sec. 5903.

1.3.  In part because the Internet is an unregulated medium, the Library does not monitor and cannot control information that may be accessed by patrons, including minors, through the Internet.  The Library considers it important to assist its patrons in understanding that the information accessed through the Internet may contain material that is incorrect, inauthentic, unreliable, illegal, obscene, or sexually explicit within the meaning of 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Sec. 5903.

The Library has selected sites to link to its home pages.  Beyond this, the Library is not responsible for any content found on the Internet outside the Library's home page, for changes in content of the sources to which the Library home page links, or for the content of sources accessed by the user through secondary links.

1.4.  The Library provides access to Internet resources equally to all library users and upholds and affirms the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected material.

1.5.  Parents or legal guardians, and not the Library or its staff, however, are responsible for monitoring their children's use of the Internet and for the information selected and/or accessed by their children.  The Library strongly encourages parents or legal guardians to supervise their children's Internet use and to provide them with guidelines about acceptable use.  The Library does have filtering software on its computers, but this should not replace parental supervision.

1.6.  The Library staff is available to assist parents with advice about their children's use of the Internet and to answer questions or concerns.  Certain of the Library's Internet access stations in the Library's Children's Room are reserved for youth and their parents or legal guardians.

1.7.  Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users' activities on the Internet.  The Braddock Carnegie Library, however, will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the public except as required by law or necessary for the proper operation of the library.

2.  Conditions and Terms of Use in the Library.  In an effort to ensure that the use of the Internet is consistent with the mission of the Library, the Library has adopted the following regulations:

2.1.  Users must present a valid library card upon request.  The Library reserves the right to require parental permission for minors to access Internet resources.

2.2.  Internet stations will be located where staff can see them.

2.3.  The Library reserves the right to establish procedures that can make the Internet stations available on a first come, first serve sign-in basis.

2.4.  The Library reserves the right to limit time on the Internet workstations, including without limitation the right to place time limits on use of large files of still or moving images or sound, or on downloading files in any medium.

2.5.  Internet use will be managed in a manner consistent with the Library's policy on acceptable use: The Internet workstations must be used in a responsible manner, respecting the rights of other users.  Users may not make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software.  Computer and Internet settings may not be changed.  Users may not use the network to make unauthorized entry into other computational, informational, or communication services or resources.  Users may not invade the privacy of others or engage in any activity that is harassing or defamatory.

2.6.  The Library does not allow the use of personal software.

2.7.  The Internet workstations cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, including any activities prohibited under any applicable federal, Pennsylvania, or local laws, including activities in violation of 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Sec. 5903, which prohibits certain acts of public indecency.

2.8.  It is the user's responsibility to be aware of the display of any notices concerning the copyright of information on the Internet and to respect the copyright laws of the United States.

2.9.  The Braddock Carnegie Library is committed to providing an employment environment free for sexual harassment.  Users may not display on screens and/or printers materials that may be unlawful or prohibited under any applicable federal, Pennsylvania, or local laws.

3.  Compliance with Library Policy and Guidelines

3.1.  Violation of the policies and regulations that govern the use of the Library's Internet resources may result in suspension or loss of the privilege to use these resources.

3.2.  The Library reserves the right ot take appropriate actions to ensure compliance with this policy.

3.4.  This policy is subject to periodic review by the Board of Trustees.

3.5.  In the application and interpretation of this policy, the Braddock Carnegie Library will use as reference The American Library Association's Code of Ethics, Freedom to Read Statement, Library Bill of Rights, and Interpretation as they apply to electronic resources.

Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Compliance Policy
Adopted May 20, 2004

1.  The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is a federal law that requires all computers in a public library to be filtered if that library accepts any federal funds for Internet access or computers used for Internet access.  [Supreme Court decision: United States v. American Library Association, Inc., No. 02-361 (June 23, 2003)]  Braddock Carnegie Library complies with the requirements of CIPA.

2.  All computers in the Braddock Carnegie Library are filtered.  Please be aware that filters are unreliable, at times blocking sites of legitimate informational or educational value, or allowing access to sites that are illegal, obscene, or sexually explicit within the meaning of 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Sec. 5903.

3.  Braddock Carnegie Library uses filtering software that blocks or filters Internet access to some Internet sites that may not be consistent with the policy of Braddock Carnegie Library.

4.  Parents or legal guardians, and not the Library or its staff, are responsible for monitoring their children's use of the Internet and for the information selected and/or accessed by their children.  The Library strongly encourages parents or legal guardians to supervise their children's Internet use and to provide them with guidelines about acceptable use.

5.  Braddock Carnegie Library computers cannot be used for any fraudulent or unlawful purpose, including any activities prohibited by any applicable federal, Pennsylvania, or local laws, including activities in violation of 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Sec. 5903, which prohibits certain acts of public indecency.

6.  Any adult (17 years of age or older, as defined by CIPA) may request that the filter or technology protection measure be disabled without significant delay by a Braddock Carnegie Library staff member authorized by the Library Administrator, consistent with the privacy policy of Braddock Carnegie Library.

7.  An authorized Braddock Carnegie Library staff member may override the filter or technology protection measure for a minor (age 16 years or younger, as defined by CIPA) in the event that the filter wrongly blocks or filters Internet access to a site of legitimate informational value.

8.  Braddock Carnegie Library cannot be responsible for any patron's unauthorized use of a computer with a disabled filter.

9.  Complaint Procedure:  Any patron who wishes to file a complaint about the filtering software on the library computers may do so within thirty (30) days to:
The Library Administrator and/or the Library Board President;
The Director of the Electronic Information Network;
The Federal Communications Commission.

Vulnerable Child Policy
Adopted February 21, 2002

Purpose:  The Braddock Carnegie Library is concerned with the safety and well being of children in the library, particularly those who are at risk because of their vulnerability.  A "vulnerable" child is defined as one who is unable to care for his or her physical and psychological needs or is too young to be safe alone inside and outside the facility.  Although this may include older children, it applies to all children seven (7) years of age or younger.

Statement of Policy:

The accompanying adult is responsible for the vulnerable child while in the library.

An accompanying adult may not leave a vulnerable child unattended in the Children's Library.

An accompanying adult may not leave a vulnerable child in the temporary care of another young child who is ten (10) years old or younger.

The Library cannot be responsible for the safety and well being of any patron beyond the extent reasonably expected of a public facility.

The Library staff cannot be responsible for any child who is left unattended.

The Library staff cannot be responsible for preventing children from leaving with an adult who is not the proper chaperone.

Children attending Library programs are, for the duration of the program only, considered to be supervised by Library staff and thus are not unattended.

The Library staff will deal with children left at closing who are too young or too afraid to go home alone safely by calling the police if the parent or guardian cannot be located and by remaining with that child until the police arrive.