SCLD Policies / Youth Safety on the Web

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.