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Library Internet Acceptable Use (Complete Version)


Page Contents:
 Internet Acceptable Use Regulations Purpose of Lansing Community College Library
 Internet and Its Content
 Civil Behavior Expected From Users

 Limitations on Access
 Examples of Unacceptable Use
 Sanctions
 Minors
 Disclaimer
 Additional Information

Internet Acceptable Use Regulations Purpose of Lansing Community College Library (back to top)

The primary purpose of the Lansing Community College Library is to provide information resources in furtherance of student academic success. These resources are primarily curriculum oriented and available to LCC students, faculty and staff.

As a partially tax supported public institution, the LCC Library uses a community service oriented "open door " approach providing access to resources within the library for non -LCC affiliated users.  In times of heavy use, users who are not currently enrolled in LCC or in an institution contracting with LCC for library services may be asked to vacate a computer station to allow students to conduct research. LCC course related research takes precedence over all other Internet use.

Internet and Its Content
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The Internet is a worldwide network of computer networks that has emerged during approximately the past thirty years. Originally based in research-oriented institutions, it has recently exploded into a vast information reservoir with millions of interconnected computers and tens of millions of participants.

Although there are organizations providing coordination of technical access and transmission procedures, there is no central control over Internet content. Thus the Internet may contain electronic information resources, which some individuals may consider objectionable or offensive. Neither LCC nor the LCC Library controls the content of information that resides on the Internet. They shall not be responsible for ensuring the accuracy or usability of any information found on the Internet. Internet Access Through The LCC Library Filtering programs are available which endeavor to sort electronic content. However, none of them are context sensitive. They may  be useful to individuals, households, or homogeneous groups, but they are grossly inadequate for a heterogeneous community such as Lansing Community College. Thus LCC does not use filtering software to block access to information resources and cannot protect individuals from chance encounters with information or images which an individual may consider offensive The individual Internet user at the LCC Library is responsible for the content he/she retrieves or displays on screen.

Although the LCC Library strives to protect user privacy and will not reveal information about an individual's use of library computer resources unless compelled to do so by court order or pursuant to enforcing Acceptable Use Regulations, users are cautioned that library computers they use are located in public space. The LCC Library cannot assure users that its employees and other patrons will not observe the computer screens or materials employed in these public areas. The LCC Library  does not monitor the Internet locations library users choose to use. However, if library staff (or LCC computer network staff doing system maintenance) observes user violation of Acceptable Use Regulations, library staff will take appropriate steps in accordance with these Regulations.

Within available staff resources, LCC and the LCC Library strive to maintain their computing resources in good working order and free of viruses. However, publicly accessed resources are subject to damage through misuse (unintentional or intentional) that cannot always be immediately detected or corrected. Therefore, LCC and the LCC Library assume no responsibility for user loss of data, user disk damage, or other damage resulting from use of the library computer resources.

Civil Behavior Expected From Users
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To efficiently and effectively provide shared resources and assist user access to a diversity of information,  libraries rely on the cooperation of their users. The LCC Library strives to balance the rights of users to access a wide range of information resources with the rights of users to work in a public environment free  from intrusive sounds and visuals. The LCC Library asks all its users to remain sensitive to the fact that  they are working in a public space shared by people of all ages, with a variety of information interests,  needs and viewpoints. The LCC Library expects users of its Internet access services to act in a responsible, ethical, legal, and appropriate manner.

Limitations on Access
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Pursuant to its primary purpose, the LCC Library is oriented to research information retrieval in support of LCC curricular programs. Library computers are not to be used for non-course-related activities. 

Examples of Unacceptable Use
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Examples of unacceptable uses that subject a library user to sanction include but are not limited to:
 Non-course-related activities.
 Violation of Michigan criminal laws, including (but not limited to) Michigan obscenity laws  MCLA 752.361-752.374 and other Michigan statutes and cases concerning obscenity.
 Damaging hardware or software or propagating computer viruses.
 Adding to or altering computer desktops.
 Unauthorized entry into the library 's network or into any other computer system. 
 Libeling, slandering or harassing others, or violating another person 's privacy.
 Distributing advertising. 
 Violating copyright, software license agreements or communication laws. 
Description of or unauthorized monitoring of another person 's use.

Sanctions
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Sanction for violation of any of these Acceptable Use Regulations or the LCC Acceptable Use policy may vary according to the seriousness of the violation. Ordinarily the user will be given an oral warning. Refusal to cease prohibited behavior after an oral warning constitutes illegal trespass on LCC property and may be prosecuted. For serious or repeated offenses, sanctions may include a suspension of all or a portion of library privileges for a specified period of time or indefinitely. Moreover, in the cases of serious or continued violations, the LCC Library may contact the LCC Department of Public Safety or the City of Lansing police for arrest and prosecution of offenders under appropriate trespass or other criminal statutes. 

Initially sanction shall be determined by a library employee at the time of interaction between the employee and the alleged violator. To the extent necessary the library employee may call upon the LCC Department of Public Safety for assistance. To the extent feasible the details of the alleged violation and sanction shall be placed in writing by the library employee and filed in the Library Department Office and in the Department of Public Safety. A copy of such writing will be provided to the alleged violator upon his/her signed written request to either department.

If the alleged violator is a currently enrolled LCC student, LCC 's Due Process provisions described in the Lansing Community College Catalog (refer to "due process " in the catalog index) shall apply. If the alleged violator is not a currently enrolled LCC student, then those Due Process provisions shall apply to the extent appropriate.

At each appeal level the initial sanction or the sanction at the preceding level may be affirmed, reversed, or modified downward  or upward. Irrespective of any LCC Library or LCC sanctions, the library and LCC will cooperate fully with local, state, or federal officials in any investigation concerning or relating to any unlawful use of or interaction with the library 's or LCC 's electronic communication system(s).

Minors
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LCC is a "higher " academic institution. As such, it has an adult orientation and the great majority of its users are adults. Some students are under the legal age of eighteen and occasional users may be under age eighteen.

State and federal laws protect minors from exposure to obscene or sexually explicit materials. These statutes include Michigan Compiled Laws 722.671 et seq.and 750.142 and United States Section 2252.

Monitoring Internet use by minors is the responsibility of the parents, guardian, or person with custody and control of the minor. Library staff and LCC computer network staff do not monitor Internet users. However, if library staff happen to observe an apparent minor accessing what appears to be obscene material, staff will investigate the situation. If the access is determined to be a violation of these regulations, sanctions may be imposed pursuant to these regulations.

Disclaimer
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Access to the Internet by the LCC Library is provided on an "as is, as available " basis. The LCC Library and LCC do not make any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to any services provided by the system(s) and any information or software contained therein.

The LCC Library and LCC do not:

  • Warrant that the functions or services performed by or that the information or software contained on the system(s) will meet the system(s) user's requirements, or that the system(s) will be uninterrupted or error-free, or that defects will be corrected.

  • Warrant or ensure the accuracy or usability of information found on the Internet.

  • Protect individuals from chance encounters with information or images which an individual may consider offensive.

  • Warrant that Internet access software has been protected from tampering.

  • Regularly monitor the computer stations used to access the Internet nor ensure that such stations afford private viewing.

  • Assume responsibility for user loss of data, user disk damage or other damage resulting from use of the library 's computer services.

  • Assume responsibility for any use made by any person or entity of documents or any part thereof retrieved through library access to the Internet.

Opinions, advice, services, and all other information expressed by system(s) users, information providers, service providers, or other third party individuals in the system(s) are those of the providers and not of the LCC Library or LCC.

The LCC Library will make reasonable attempts to communicate, post, and generally make these Internet Acceptable Use Regulations available to the public.

Additional Information
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Access to the Internet at the LCC Library is in accordance with the LCC Acceptable Use Policy and the following American Library Association statements:

 Library Bill of Rights
 Freedom to Read
 Access to Electronic Information, Services and Networks