The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and information content. It offers access to many valuable local, national, and international sources of information. It is the individual's responsibility to exercise judgment and evaluate both the content and validity of information just as they would any printed publication.

Lee College Library provides access to the Internet and expects that all who exercise the privilege of this access will do so responsibly. These guidelines are developed to clarify the Lee College Library position regarding Internet access and guidelines for persons accessing the Internet through the library's computers.

Lee College Library assumes responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided on its home page.

• The Library does not censor access to materials or protect users from materials they may find offensive.
• The Library does not accept responsibility for the content of sites accessible through the Internet, nor is it responsible for content of sources accessed through secondary links.
• Access to the Internet via the Library's workstations is both a service and a privilege extended to all current Lee College students, faculty, staff and adult service area residents.
• The Library encourages the educational and personal use of the World Wide Web consistent with the college's Acceptable Use Policy.

All users of the Library Internet workstations are expected to abide by the following guidelines. Violation of these guidelines may result in Internet privileges being revoked.

• Priority use is for those who have course-related needs and patrons may be asked to yield to those with those needs. No chatting or games
• If you are taking a class at Lee College that requires access to e-mail and you are communicating with your instructor for classes, you have unlimited access. If you are accessing e-mail for any other purpose we ask that you limit your time to 15 minutes.
• Posted time limits may be implemented if others are waiting to use the computer.
• Patrons are to refrain from performing any act that will impair the operation of any facet of access to the Internet or configuration of the workstations. No changing workstation settings.

Patrons must refrain from any use of Internet resources which is illegal in Texas, any other state or the United States. Therefore Internet patrons at Lee College Library must refrain from displaying or distributing material in any format which is in anyway inconsistent with Lee College's Acceptable Use Policy. Federal laws governing the Internet state: "it is illegal to access via the Internet any material that violates state or federal laws." For example, 18 U.S. Code 2252 forbids the sexual exploitation of children, including child pornography.

Each person using the Internet computers of the Lee College Library is liable for any infringement and is subject to criminal prosecution for illegal use. Lee College monitors its public access computers. Any illegal use will be reported. Please be prepared to show ID upon request.

Copyright Law (title 17, U.S. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of "fair use". Patrons may not copy or distribute electronic materials (including electronic mail, text, images, programs or data) without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.

Any responsibility for any consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user; the Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility from such use. The Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility arising from access to or use of information obtained through its electronic information systems, or any consequences thereof.

Updated: December 2003