Internet Use Policy

In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and Missouri law, The Bernie Public Library provides filtered access to the Internet. The filter screens out material that is obscene (as defined by federal law), child pornography (as defined by federal law), or harmful to minors. Filters may inadvertently block access to sites providing valid information. Upon request, staff may disable the filter for adults to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes. Library hotspots, Chromebooks, and other devices may also be equipped with Internet-filtering capabilities.

To the extent practical, Bernie Public Library will take steps to promote the safety and security of users of Bernie Public Library’s technology resources when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct communication. We have social media sites blocked on Bernie Library computers for our community's safety. Bernie Library discourages inappropriate technology usage, including unauthorized access and other unlawful activities by minors, as well as unauthorized disclosure use and dissemination of personal information regarding minors.

Parents and caregivers, not Bernie Public Library staff, are responsible for supervising their children’s internet use. Any parent may choose to restrict their child/children from using the library’s internet.

Access to Inappropriate Material

To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or internet filters) shall be used to block or filter Internet, or other forms of electronic communications, access to inappropriate information as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors. Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled for adults or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

Inappropriate Network Usage

To the extent, practical steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Bernie Public online computer network when using electronic mail chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications.

Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes:

(A) unauthorized access, including so-called hacking and other unlawful activities

(B) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

Adoption

This Internet Safety Policy was adopted by the Bernie Public Library Board at a public meeting following normal public notice on this date 

June 2023