INTERNET USE POLICY

Mission Statement

The Division of Library and Information Services’ State Library and Archives of Florida is the information provider for the Florida Legislature, state agencies and the general public. It coordinates and funds public libraries; implements statewide reading, information and literacy initiatives; provides records management services; and collects, preserves and makes available the published and unpublished documentary history of the state.

The State Library and Archives of Florida offers public access to the Internet in the Reading Room and at the Capitol Branch. Access to the Internet is provided to enhance the State Library and Archives’ collections of information resources. It is intended to educate and inform the library’s customers.

NOTICE: Information available through the Internet is unregulated, and the State Library and Archives does not endorse the viewpoints or vouch for the accuracy of information obtained through the Internet from sites other than those created by the Division of Library and Information Services. Be aware that although the Internet provides information that is professionally, culturally and personally enriching, it also provides access to information that may be inaccurate, inflammatory, illegal, offensive and/or disturbing to some users.

All computer and Internet users are subject to the rules below.

STATE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES INTERNET AND COMPUTER RULES

1. Computers and Internet access are not for recreational use. They support research in the State Library and Archives’ collections or provide access to the Division’s online resources.
2. IT IS A CRIME to access, view, show, display, copy, print or send obscene material such as pornographic images as set out in Chapter 847, Florida Statutes.
3. Do not make unauthorized copies of information protected by copyright. Unauthorized copying or distribution of copyrighted materials without the permission of the copyright holder is prohibited by 17 U.S. Code, section 107. Legal responsibility for unauthorized copying lies with you.
4. Do not install any software on library or archives computers.
5. Do not violate the State Library and Archives’ computer security or otherwise alter its computer equipment.
6. Be aware that the computers in these facilities do not contain Internet filtering devices.
7. IN ORDER TO BEST SERVE ALL LIBRARY/ARCHIVES COMPUTER AND INTERNET USERS, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO:
   • Restrict time on the computers and limit functions or applications used.
   • Require that users supply their own preformatted discs or devices for downloading files.
   • Require that a user pay for copies printed.
   • Terminate an Internet session immediately if the Internet policy is violated.

POLICY VIOLATIONS:

While respecting individual users’ rights to privacy, State Library and Archives staff reserves the right to monitor use of Internet workstations to ensure compliance with the Internet Use Policy. Staff may ask users to remove themselves from library equipment if observed behavior is in conflict with this policy.

First offense will result in termination of the current Internet session and a current-day ban from the State Library and Archives computers.

Repeated offenses will result in the permanent ban of the offender from all State Library and Archives computers and Internet access. Serious offenses may result in stronger measures.