Interesting on the public indecency section-has any library who has unfiltered access been charged in Texas on this, and does it conflict with Federal First Amendment rights? Any Texas "scholars" out there on this issue? It DOES sound like, based on Texas statute, that all monitors should be filtered for illegal sexual content as defined in the public decency section!
Dale Ricklefs, Library Director Round Rock Public Library 216 E. Main Street, Round Rock, Texas 78664 512-218-7010; 218-7061 (fax); 669-1753 (cell); [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------- Please note that our spam blocker blocks many emails, especially yahoo, gmail, and similar sites. You may get a "mailbox full" message. This means you have been blocked. Please call at one of the numbers above if you are having problems getting through. Thank you! From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Suzan Nyfeler Sent: Monday, May 18, 2009 11:31 AM To: Carolyn Manning; CTLS list Subject: Re: [ctls-l] Internet policies Carolyn - As you are well aware, your library is not alone in needing an updated internet policy. As you review your policies, make sure they are current, clear, concise and posted. Some libraries post library policy at each computer or throughout the public computer stations. You may also want to require customers to sign a document saying they agree to abide by library policies. This signature can be on your library application (which could cover all policies), on the sign-in sheet for computer use or, should your computer management software include this function, customers would have to agree to a policy statement on the screen each time they use the computer. Your policies will need to include what happens if a customer violates the rules. Following that, make clear to staff and volunteers any internal procedures on how to deal with these situations, down to who says what to whom and when. And the unstated procedure should not be "refer every problem to the director." Here are several good policies below, some more detailed than others but still worth noting. Links to library computer & internet use policies: Forth Worth Library http://www.fortworthgov.org/library/info/default.aspx?id=51054 Dallas Public Library http://dallaslibrary.org/policy.htm Waco-McLennan County Library http://www.waco-texas.com/CITY_DEPTS/libraryservices/netpolicy.htm Rylander Memorial Library (San Saba) http://www.sansabacounty.org/Rylander/policies.htm Taylor Public Library http://www.ci.taylor.tx.us/index.aspx?NID=163 Links to the Texas Penal Code that you will want to cite in your policies: Texas Penal Code - Chapter 33 - Computer Crimes http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/PE/content/htm/pe.007.00.000033.00.htm Texas Penal Code - Chapter 43 - Public Indecency http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/PE/content/htm/pe.009.00.000043.00.htm#43.21.00 Best of luck to you. Call on us for any other assistance. Suzan Nyfeler Youth Services Specialist Central Texas Library System, Inc. 1005 West 41st, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78756 512-583-0704 x 17 800-262-4431 x 17 [email protected] www.CTLS.net ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Carolyn Manning Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 8:18 AM To: CTLS list Subject: [ctls-l] Internet policies Hi Folks, We have had a rash of patrons viewing pornography. Our current policy doesn't specifically cover pornography. Instead, it talks about "objectionable behavior". What do other libraries have in the way of policies on viewing pornography? We would like to create a formal policy on just this issue. Thanks for any input you can give me! Carolyn T. Manning Library Director Wimberley Village Library [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>
