Electronic_Monitoring

While it is the policy of our Library to respect the privacy of patrons pursuant to this state’s library confidentiality statute, it is also the responsibility of the library to protect its electronic systems from unauthorized or criminal use and to make appropriate referrals to federal and state law enforcement authorities.

The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) permits our network management firm, which is our electronic communications provider, to monitor all activities on their system for management purposes. They may make voluntary disclosures of content and other information in the following very limited circumstances:

As necessary to protect the property of the Blackwater Regional Library
If related to the commission of a crime; or
If related to an emergency involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury

Accordingly, it is the policy of this library that we do not monitor on a routine basis the use by patrons or staff of our electronic systems. The library, however, does reserve the right (1) to monitor as necessary to manage and to protect our systems from unauthorized or criminal use, and (2) to make voluntary disclosures to federal and state law enforcement and national security authorities as deemed appropriate by Library Director and counsel.

Patron Electronic Monitoring and Disclosure Policy
This public library computer workstation and network (system) is for authorized members of the public and is subject to the rules specified on our Internet Acceptable Use Policy. This library does not routinely inspect, monitor or disclose content but may do so in the course of system management and maintenance. Accordingly, your use of this system constitutes consent to monitoring and you are advised that any evidence of criminal activity identified by the monitoring process, including communications content and transmission details, will be disclosed to law enforcement and national defense agencies as appropriate. In addition, any individuals found to be using the network in excess of their authority or contrary to the Library Internet Policy are subject to the penalties stated in the Internet Policy and to having all of their activities on the system monitored and recorded to ensure subsequent compliance with policy.

Employee Electronic Monitoring and Disclosure Policy
This computer workstation and network (system) is the property of the Blackwater Regional Library and may be used only by designated and authenticated library staff and volunteers. It is the intent of the library that the system be used primarily for library business although limited personal use during non-duty time within normal business hours is permitted. In no event are volunteers or staff authorized to access sexually explicit sites, to conduct commercial activities, or to further any civil or criminal violation of law. The library reserves the right to monitor use of this system to ensure network security and adherence to library policy as well as to respond to allegations or evidence of suspected employee misuse or misconduct. Your use of this system constitutes consent to monitoring for such purposes as well as to disclosure of results of such monitoring to appropriate federal and state authorities. As such, you should have no expectation of privacy as to any communications on or information stored within this system.