Library Reaffirms Internet Policy

While wanting to provide a wide range of services for its patrons, the Warsaw Community Library Board of Trustees wants them to take advantage of those services responsibly and according to established policies.

"When we have someone fill out an application for Internet access, we are saying we're trusting them to use the Internet according to our policy," said Ann Zydek, library director. "If they can't, they'll lose that privilege."

The current library policy on Internet access - which was reaffirmed Monday - considers the following uses inappropriate and forbids them on library computers:

• To access, upload, download or distribute pornographic, obscene or sexually explicit material;

• to transmit obscene, abusive or sexually explicit language;

• to violate any local, state or federal statute;

• to vandalize, damage, or disable library property or another individual or organization;

• to access another individual's materials, information or files without permission; or

• to violate copyright or otherwise use intellectual property of another individual or organization without permission.

Zydek said that in addition to strictly enforcing this policy, the library will also pursue prosecution of anyone violating Indiana Code IC 35-49-3-3.

This criminal code states:

A person who knowingly or intentionally displays material that is harmful to minors in an area to which minors have visual, auditory or physical access commits a Class D felony.

In other business, the board unanimously approved the 2000 fine and fee schedule and nonresident borrower fees.

All printed circulating material will carry an overdue fee of 10 cents per day per item, with a maximum fine of $5. Overdue video tapes will carry an overdue fine of $1 per day, with a maximum fine of $7. There will also be a 50-cent per tape rewind fee.

The annual fee for individual borrowers not residing in Wayne Township was maintained at $45 per year. The nonresident family rate was maintained at $125 per year. The student (preschool-grade 12) and senior citizen (age 65 and older) rates were maintained at $20 per year.

The board also established a $25 meeting room user fee for for-profit organizations within Wayne Township and a $50 fee for for-profit organizations outside Wayne Township.

Not-for-profit organizations will not be charged a fee.