“A public library that receives state money must prohibit, including through the use of available software filtering technology or other effective methods, adult access to material that under federal or state law is reasonably believed to be obscene or child pornography. A public library may remove a person from the library if the person gains access or attempts to gain access to materials prohibited under this section by intentionally bypassing the filtering technology or other method used by the library.”

- Minnesota Statute 134.50 (c)

GRRL filters web access to objectionable or inappropriate sites within the guidelines of federal law. These sites include obscenity, child pornography, and material harmful to minors. Filtering may be disabled to some sites for research or other lawful purposes.

GRRL recognizes and affirms the rights and responsibilities of parents/guardians/caregivers to control the use of library materials and resources by their own children. The Internet is an unregulated medium, and as such contains text and/or images which are inappropriate for children.

GRRL cannot guarantee restriction of access to sites which may or may not be deemed inappropriate for minors. It is up to the parent/guardian/caregiver to monitor their own children regarding their Internet use. The library is committed to making reasonable efforts within constitutional limits to prevent minors from viewing materials that could be deemed harmful.

In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, software filters have     been placed on all computer stations with Internet access. Internet users 17 or older may request that staff remove the filter when using the Internet stations. Library customers who use unfiltered Internet stations are not excused from any provisions or restrictions of this policy.

GRRL avoids maintaining records that could compromise the privacy of customers. Internet users must be aware, however, that personal identification information should only be shared with caution. Parents/guardians/caregivers should discuss with minors the dangers of relaying personal facts over the Internet.

The USA PATRIOT ACT (US Statute 50 U.S.C. Sec 206, 214-220) overrides state law related to privacy and library use. If GRRL receives a valid order or warrant under these provisions, staff must provide anything requested by that order. This may include computer use records. Section 215 requires that the library not inform library customers about these specific warrants.

It is essential that each user of Internet services recognize the responsibilities that stem from having access to vast services, sites, people and quantities of uncensored information. Users are advised to be considerate of others when viewing material which may be considered offensive to some library users. The use of the library's Internet workstations is a privilege and users are advised that the following conduct is considered inappropriate:

• placing or viewing unlawful information or images on the system;
• placing files or programs on the library's computer equipment;
• using library equipment to access material that is obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors consistent with any applicable federal, state or local law;
• Library users may not disseminate, exhibit or display to minors materials that are harmful to minors.
• altering files or programs on the library's computers;
• use of abusive, harassing or otherwise objectionable language in either public or private messages;
•  sending any files or portions of files likely to result in damage to the recipient's databases or networks or the library's databases or networks;
• sending unsolicited spam, “chain letters” or “broadcast” messages;
• violation of copyright or licensing agreements;
• use of another patron’s library card or fraudulent use of duplicate library cards or guest passes for internet access;
•  circumventing computer management software or security measures;
• other use that would cause excessive congestion of the network or interfere with the use of other users.

Users failing to refrain from engaging in such conduct will have computer privileges revoked.

Library staff can often help with basic computer use, but cannot provide support or information for specific software. The library will provide the training in Internet services to public service staff. Due to library scheduling, however, Internet-trained staff may not always be available to users.