IUPs -- Points to Consider

Types of IUPs

• Short, general policy?
• Longer, more detailed policy?
• Separate policy?
• Incorporate into existing policies?
• One policy?
• One policy and additional procedures/guidelines?
• One policy for patrons and staff?
• Separate patron and staff policies?
• One policy for adults and minors?
• Separate adult and minor policies?

Bare Bones Policies: What Should Your AUP Already Include?

• Why does your library provide Net access?
• Who will be able/not able to use your library's Net workstations?
• What Net functions/tools/software does/doesn't your library provide?
• What types of resources can/can't patrons access/use?
• Does your library filter Net access or not?
• How do you expect patrons to behave?
• How will library staff enforce your IUP?
• What other library/state policies address Net use issues?

How Your IUP Affects the Services You Can Provide

E-mail

• incoming? outgoing? both?
• staff only OR public also?
• e-mailing resources only?
• mailbox storage limits?
  
  

Listservs

• staff only OR public also?
• time and mailbox storage limits?
  
  

Chat

• moderated OR unmoderated?
• public OR private?
• age OR time limits?
• safety issues addressed?
  
  

File Transfer

• staff only or public also?
• what can/can't be FTPed?
• local virus check software?
• "virgin" disks OR user-owned disks?
• only from certain sites OR any site?
• have zip drives for large transfers?
• copyright issue addressed?
  
  

Web Browser

• Kiosk version? Standard version? Full version?
  
  

Library Homepage

• relationship to other local Net resources?
• links to selected OR all community groups?
• links to personal homepages?
• links to local commercial sites?
• Lynx compatible?
• require/not require plug-ins/apps?
• copies of links available to patrons on disk?
  
  

Home Net Access via Your Library

• legal implications of being an ISP?
• rules specifically for home-based patrons?
• time, storage limits?
• security implications?

Teaching Patrons and Kids About Your IUP

• What training will your library staff receive?
• What help/training will your library staff provide to patrons?
• copyright? plagiarism? browser use? different Net software/plugs-ins? FTP? chat? MOOs/MUDs? web search tools?
• What help/training will your library staff not provide?
• Win95/98? modems? ISP configurations? hardware troubleshooting?
• Which staff/patron groups will you train first? Next? After that?
• What other individuals/groups in your community can provide help/training?
• How will your library handle referrals to other sources of help and local ISPs?

What Should Happen When Someone "Breaks the Rules"?

• What state/local legal documents might apply?
• Has your library's attorney read/reacted to/approved your IUP?
• Does your state library provide "boiler plate" which includes recommended legal language?
• Does your board/community support your IUP (and enforcement)?
• How will you inform patrons about your IUP?
• How will you educate patrons about legal and enforcement issues?
• How will library staff enforce your IUP?

Other Points to Ponder

• Your IUP as a planning document
• Do existing library policies conflict with your IUP? (video policies)
• Will your policy be proactive OR reactive?
• Will your policy be affirming OR censuring?
• How does your library's Website relate to your IUP?
• If your library also offers connectivity, how does this relate to your IUP?