Independence County Library Internet Public Access and Public Computer Use Policy

The Independence County Library provides access to public computers and the Internet for Independence County residents of all ages. All computer/Internet users must have a current Independence County Library card and no late charges or fines linked to his/her account.

Library patrons use the Internet at their own discretion. The Internet is an unregulated medium. Not all sources on the Internet provide information that is current, accurate, or complete. The Independence County Library is unable to control or monitor the content of the materials on the Internet, and is not responsible for its content.

The Internet may contain material that is inappropriate for viewing by children. The library staff is not in a position to monitor and supervise children's use of the Internet. As with other library materials, restriction of a child's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian. Children under the age of twelve (12) require parental/guardian supervision at all times while using the library's computers.

Independence County Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from the use of its Internet access or services.

Independence County Library staff will assist patrons with Internet/computer use as time permits, but cannot offer personal instruction on the public computers. Independence County Library offers free computer instruction classes when possible and encourages patrons to take advantage of this service when available.

Use of the Independence County Library's public computers is a privilege, not a right. Library patrons who use the public computers must adhere to the specific standards of behavior. If computer use results in disruption of Library services, or if a patron's behavior when using the public computers becomes inappropriate for a library setting, or a patron in any way violates the Internet/Public Computer Use Policy or Guidelines adopted by the library, the library reserves the right to end a session and ask patron to leave the library, and/or to restrict further use of public computers by the patron.

The Internet Public Access and Public Computer Use Policy, inclusive of Guidelines, may be amended or supplemented at any time by the Independence County Library Board of Trustees. A current copy of this policy will be kept at the circulation desk and will be available for review by users.

Addendum to Internet Public Access and Public Computer Use Policy

Guest Passes

Visitors from outside Independence County who are not library cardholders will be allowed a Guest Pass, which allows access to the Library's Internet/public access computers. To obtain a Guest pass, an out-of-town user must present photo identification with name and current address. Acceptable identification includes, but is not limited to, a valid driver's license, a valid state identification card or another form of photo identification that contains name and current address.

Visitors under the age of twelve (12) are allowed a Guest Pass, but must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times while using the library's computers. The accompanying adult must show valid identification.

Guest Passes are valid for 3 consecutive days from date of issue. A Guest Pass is issued to one individual and is not transferable. An individual may obtain a total of 3 Guest Passes within a 6-month period.

Guest Passes may not be issued on a regular basis and are not intended to replace a valid library card for use of the computers. They are to be used by individuals who come to the Library infrequently.

Approved by the Independence County Library Board, August 2, 2016.

Children's Computer Use Policy

The children's computers are to be used by children under the age of twelve (12). As stated in the original Internet Public Access and Public Computer Use Policy, children under the age of twelve (12) require parental/guardian supervision at all times while using the library's computers.

All patrons ages six (6) and over must have a current Independence County Library card. Children ages five (5) and under will be allowed to use the children's computers under the supervision of a parent or guardian.

Parent or guardian must sign his or her child in on the sign-in log located at the circulation desk, and will be assigned a computer. Children will be allowed to use computers for one (1) hour, and may renew use hourly unless there are others waiting to use computers. In that case, children must leave computers and be placed on a waiting list. 

All other stipulations in the Internet Public Access and Public Computer Use Policy apply to the usage of the children's computers.

Approved by the Independence County Library Board September 27, 2016

Revised January 19, 2021