Public Internet & Computer Access Policy

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As provided in the Uintah County Library’s Mission Statement, the internet is recognized as a valuable information resource. However, the provision of this service to the public is subject to Federal, state, and local laws, available funding, physical space, and public need or demand.

The Uintah County Library (UCL) offers various computer services to the community. This Public Internet and Computer Access Policy was developed under the direction of the Library Board of Directors to meet the provisions of the applicable Utah Code Sections. This policy includes rules for use and is guided by the Federal Children’s Internet Protection Act, Utah Code Annotated (U.C.A.) § 9-7-213, 9-7-215, and 9-7-216, and Utah Administrative Rule 458-2. The current version of the policy is available at the library circulation desk and on the library website (https://library.uintah.gov). A summary of the library laws regarding internet use is provided on the opening screen of each public internet computer session in the library.

Public internet service entails the commitment of significant Library resources, both in originating computer services and continued maintenance. In initiating service or attempting to meet public demand for such service, the UCL enters into a contractual relationship with users of that service. In this contractual relationship, all parties have certain obligations and responsibilities.

Responsibilities of Uintah County Library

  1. The UCL will provide internet services to the public at reasonably fast transmission rates though commonly available workstations.
  2. The UCL will maintain computer internet services at reasonably fast transmission rates so long as public interest demands them and the service can be financially supported.
  3. The UCL will enhance computer services to meet public needs and/or emerging technologies subject to existing funding and facilities.
  4. The UCL will assist the user by providing browsing, downloading, and printing capabilities and answering basic questions regarding computer and software operation and the internet in general. The UCL is currently unable to provide exhaustive or formal internet training.
  5. The UCL will allow fair and open access to internet resources; however, the Uintah County Library restricts access to internet or online sites that contain material determined to be harmful to children and described in U.C.A. § 9-7-215. As such, filters shall be maintained on all library computers to prevent access to such sites through the Utah Education Network (UEN). Adult patrons may request that the filter be disabled for research or other lawful purposes.
  6. Regulation and security of internet resources will be maintained for the purpose of preserving the resource as well as providing orderly and efficient use of a publicly shared medium.
  7. The UCL will solicit and encourage users and other interested parties to comment on the level and quality of service and suggest service or product enhancements.

Public Internet Access User Responsibilities

The internet, a worldwide computer network, is an essential medium for obtaining and transmitting information of all types. However, the internet is an unregulated medium, and information that is inaccurate, illegal, or that some may find offensive or disturbing, is available for access. All users must agree to the Public Internet and Computer Access Policy on the browser’s opening screen to initiate a session using the internet.

The UCL restricts access to the internet or online sites that contain material described in Utah Code Annotated §9-7-215, prohibits illegal activity on internet computers, and takes no responsibility for the content of materials viewed on the internet. Briefly, illegal activity under Utah law includes gambling, fraud, and viewing materials legally defined as child pornography, obscenity, and materials harmful to minors. For the complete text of the Utah code that pertains to internet use at the Uintah County Library, please ask the library staff or visit https://le.utah.gov/xcode/code.html and navigate to the following sections: U.C.A. § 9-7-213, 9-7-215, 9-7-216, and https://rules.utah.gov/ Utah Administrative Rule 458-2.

All users acknowledge and agree to the following:

  1. Misuse, abuse or modification of software and/or hardware is strictly forbidden.
  2. Searches conducted and materials retrieved must comply with all relevant local, state and federal laws.
  3. Accessing sexually explicit and pornographic sites or materials is expressly forbidden.
  4. Accessing sites inciting violence, racial hatred, or criminal activity is expressly forbidden.
  5. Downloads and printouts must adhere to current copyright law. Illegal downloading involves the unauthorized acquisition of copyrighted material from the internet, infringing on the rights of copyright holders.
  6. Engaging in computer ‘hacking’ or unauthorized network access is forbidden.
  7. Users must comply with all relevant library and resource use policies.
  8. Confidentiality or privacy is not guaranteed. The internet is not a secure medium and user access may be monitored at any point by either authorized or unauthorized individuals.
  9. You may download files using supported media. The library is not responsible for damage to your media or for corruption of your data, including damage caused by mechanical malfunction or corruption caused by virus or spyware infection while using library computers. Do not attempt to run or execute programs or applications from personal storage media.
  10. The UCL reserves the right to deny internet or library services to individuals violating the law and/or library policies. Illegal activities will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

The UCL, under Federal laws and U.C.A. § 9-7-215 and 9-7-216, imposes a technology protection measure (filtering software) on all library computers with internet access (including staff and public access). This filtering is intended to meet the requirements of U.C.A. § 9-7-215 and to (1) protect against illegal visual depictions that are child pornography or obscene, or (2) protect minors against visual depictions that are child pornography, harmful to minors, or obscene.

However, the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act and Utah state law specify that patrons aged 18 and over may request a library staff member to turn off the filter during that patron’s internet session. Users need not give a reason for turning off the filters; they are always responsible for their sessions. Administrative procedures and guidelines for staff to follow in enforcing the policy have been established. They are described herein, and procedures to handle complaints about this policy and its enforcement and observed patron behavior are included below and are available at the library for public review.

Policy Violations

Consequences for violating Uintah County Library policies may include:

  1. Verbal warning from staff.
  2. Ending a computer session or being required to leave the library.
  3. Suspension of library privileges including access to computers or the building.
  4. Police intervention could include legal citations, arrest, and prosecution for trespass and/or other offenses.

Staff Handling Violations of Policy

When staff members observe a violation of library policies, they shall report it to their supervisor. Patrons in violation of library policies will be given a verbal warning for offenses deemed minor by UCL staff.

If the problem behavior persists, or in the case of extreme misuse, including the violation of any law, law enforcement will be contacted. The patron may be asked to leave the library. The police will be called if the patron refuses to leave the library after a lawful request to leave or when using the library’s computers to engage in illegal acts.

Losing internet privileges for a definite time, up to one (1) year, will be determined by the Library Director. Any suspension longer than one (1) week may be appealed to the Library Board of Directors. (See Standards of Conduct, Staff Enforcement of Behavior Rules, Sections 8-11.)

Procedures for Addressing Concerns

Questions or concerns about this policy and/or its enforcement may be directed to the Library Director and should be in writing, dated, and signed. If the Library Director cannot resolve the concern to the patron’s satisfaction, the patron can request that their concern be added to the next available Library Board meeting agenda. After fully, considering the specific concern, the Library Board will decide on the matter. The patron will be informed in writing of their response within a week of the meeting. The Library Board of Directors’ decision will be final.

Library patrons who have questions or concerns about this or any Uintah County Library policy and enforcement of these policies may contact the Library Director or the Library Board of Directors for more information.

  

This policy supersedes all previous versions and will be reviewed every three years or as needed.

 

Approved by the Uintah County Library Board of Directors.

Reviewed: February 11, 1998

Amended: February 22, 2006

Amended: March 28, 2007

Amended: April 25, 2007

Amended: June 22, 2011.

Amended: July 16, 2021

Amended: February 19, 2025