AGENDA ITEM
TO:
HONORABLE CHAIR
AND MEMBERS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
FROM:
YVETTE E. AGUILAR
PARKS, RECREATION & LIBRARY SERVICES DIRECTOR
BY: CHARLES HUGHES
CITY LIBRARIAN
SUBJECT:
title
SIGNAL HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC INFORMATION USE POLICY
summary
Summary:
The Signal Hill Public Library (Library) opened in 2019. At that time, policies and procedures for the use of the internet and electronic information use were established and implemented based on available information, industry trends, and the anticipated use. Since the library's opening, there have been significant changes and updates to industry policies due to evolving and technological advances, including the enhancement of internet resources to provide users with more comprehensive access to information. Additionally, the rise in mobile device usage has prompted libraries to adapt their services, ensuring they meet the needs of patrons who rely on smartphones and tablets for information. Furthermore, the widespread availability of wireless internet access (Wi-Fi) has become a standard practice within the industry, improving connectivity for all library visitors and facilitating a more efficient and interactive experience.
Staff worked with the City Attorney’s Office and updated the Signal Hill Public Library Internet and Electronic Information Use Policy (Policy) to reflect the industry standard changes and include language that helps to protect the access of information, particularly for minors. The Policy provides internet access while ensuring compliance with local, state and federal laws, and ensures the public maintains access to information and resources.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 5 High-Functioning Government: Strengthen internal communication, recruitment, retention, systems, and processes to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of City services.
recommendation
Recommendation:
Receive and file.
body
Background:
The Library offers access to a variety of resources and services to residents including books, literacy programs, and internet use via personal or Library public computers.
While the internet offers access to a wealth of valuable information, not all its resources provide reliable, complete, or current material and some sites contain information that is inappropriate for public viewing by all library patrons. As the internet is unregulated, the Library has no control over the information available and is not responsible for its content, accuracy, and/or appropriateness.
Internet access is considered a widely utilized service provided by public libraries. Nearly all libraries offer free public Wi-Fi and computer access, making it a fundamental part of operations and resource to the community. Many individuals rely on libraries as their primary source of internet access, especially those without home internet service. For this reason, public libraries must have clear and comprehensive policies regarding internet usage.
In 2012, the Library began to provide complimentary Wi-Fi access to patrons. This service aimed to enhance the overall experience for visitors by offering convenient internet connectivity within the library premises.
In 2016, the City entered into a partnership with the California State Library to provide the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) high-speed broadband internet to library patrons when the new Library building opened in 2019. CENIC has helped connect public libraries to the California Research and Education Network (CalREN), the same high-speed broadband network used by the state’s universities, community colleges, and public schools. CalREN is a critical infrastructure for the education, research, and healthcare communities, connecting more than 20 million users and 12,000 institutions across all 58 counties in California.
The library has become increasingly essential for providing Wi-Fi access to the Signal Hill community due to the heightened demand during the pandemic. In the most recent years of implementation, the Library has had the following number of Wi-Fi connections:
With the increased usage over the years, staff have reviewed the most recent Library and Internet Usage Agreement from 2019 (Attachment A) and are proposing updates to the policy.
Analysis:
The Library provides information resources through access to the Internet. This service is available as part of the Library's purpose to free and equal access to information, knowledge, independent lifelong learning, and cultural enrichment. Access to digital information, services, and networks is a core public library service.
The Library strives to uphold a public environment that is secure, inclusive, and hospitable, allowing all Signal Hill community members to benefit from Library resources, including public access to the internet. The updated Policy outlines guidelines and rules to access public library resources and equipment.
The existing Contract Services Agreement to provide the CENIC high-speed broadband internet to patrons, requires the Library to adhere to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
American Library Association Library Bill of Rights (Library Bill of Rights)
From the Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights from the American Library Association (Attachment B), “Freedom of expression is an inalienable human right and the foundation for self-government. Freedom of expression encompasses freedom of speech and the corollary right to receive information. Libraries and librarians protect and promote these rights by selecting, producing, providing access to, identifying, retrieving, organizing, providing instruction in the use of, and preserving recorded expression regardless of the format or technology.”
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), (Attachment C), was enacted by Congress in 2000 to address concerns about children's access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet. CIPA imposes certain requirements on schools or libraries that receive Internet access or internal connections through the CENIC E-rate consortium program, a federal program that offers discounts on telecommunications and internet services to schools and libraries. In early 2001, the FCC issued rules implementing CIPA and provided updates to those rules in 2011.
Signal Hill Public Library Internet and Electronic Information Use Policy
In 2019, library patrons agreed to the “Signal Hill Library Internet Use Agreement” guidelines each time they logged in to a workstation and initially when they signed on to use the public Wi-Fi.
Staff have examined the requirements of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), and best practices and policies implemented by other public libraries in Los Angeles County and the American Library Association and worked with the City Attorney’s Office to revise the existing Signal Hill Library Internet Use Agreement. The revised Policy is retitled “Signal Hill Public Library Internet and Electronic Information Use Policy” (Attachment D).
The updated Policy not only adheres to the Library Bill of Rights, but it also focuses on customers using internet services and follows the Signal Hill Public Library Rules of Conduct (Rules of Conduct) and public environment norms, supporting intellectual freedom and various workstation options. The Policy provides support to staff who take action to address violations of the Policy and the existing Rules of Conduct.
The updated Policy has been reviewed as to form by the City Attorney and ensures that the Signal Hill Public Library will continue to meet its legal obligations while continuing to provide free public internet access to Library patrons.
Approved:
_________________________
Yvette E. Aguilar
Attachments:
A. Signal Hill Internet Use Agreement
B. American Library Association Library Bill of Rights
C. Children's Internet Protection Act
D. Signal Hill Public Library Internet and Electronic Information Use Policy