LIBRARY PROCEDURES MANUAL
V. Technology Policies
This section includes:
A. Internet/Computer Use in TBISD Libraries
B. Guidelines for Evaluating Web Pages
C. Computer Use - Acceptable Use and Code of Conduct (Board Policy)
A. Internet/Computer Use in TBISD Libraries
Tom Bean Independent School District will establish and strengthen the network of instructional services (computer labs, libraries, class-rooms, as well as other curriculum resources) to fully develop the technology skills of students and staff.
Information literacy is a critical component in the education of students. Our school libraries can provide students access to an on-site collection of: electronic database searching of the library card catalog, a CD-ROM collection that provides access to appropriate educational content for each grade level, and district licensing.
The Tom Bean Independent School District offers Internet access
at each school library. The sole purpose of this Internet access is to support
education and research by providing students and teachers with access to unique
resources of information. All students who use Internet access are expected
to the acceptable use policy implemented by the school district. This policy
is located in each student handbook. The District Student Agreement Form must
be signed and returned by the student and student's parent acknowledging their
responsibilities and the consequences of violation in order for students to
have direct access to the internet. All student use of the Internet is to be
conducted under faculty supervision. Nevertheless ,the librarian or faculty
members are not expected to monitor student use at every moment, except on the
elementary campuses. Every student is expected to take individual responsibility
for his or her appropriate use of the internet.
1. Authority and Responsibility
Is the author or organization responsible for the information clearly identified?
Is the author's point of view explicit?
Is there a bibliography or links to the other URLs? Are they appropriate?
Is there an address for communicating online?
Has the site been rated by other reviewers?
2. Currency
Is the date of the last revision given?
Is there a schedule for future updates?
3. Content
Does the content support the curriculum or student interest?
Is the level appropriate for the intended audience?
Does the author use correct spelling the grammar?
Does the site contain unique information?
4. Ease of Use
Is the layout clear and clutter-free?
Is the page clearly labeled and organized?
If part of a web site, do all connected pages have a similar layout?
Are there links between pages?
If icons and/or abbreviations are used, are their meanings clear?
Is the text an appropriate size for the audience?
Do the graphics serve a clear purpose and make an important contribution?
Is there a searching capability?
Only students who have been authorized by the District and who
are under direct supervision of designated District employees are permitted
to use a District computer or to access any local network or outside telecommunications
resources such as TENET or the Internet. Prior to such authorization, the student
and the student's parent must sign and return the District Student Agreement
Form acknowledging their responsibilities and the consequences of violation.
Students are expected to observe network etiquette by being polite and using
appropriate language. Students are prohibited from pretending to be someone
else; transmitting obscene messages or pictures; revealing personal addresses
or telephone numbers-either their own or another person's; or using the network
in a way that would disrupt use by others.
The following policy for acceptable use of computers, networks,
and system resources, including the Internet, shall apply to all TBISD administrators, faculty, staff, and students. All technology equipment shall
be used under the supervision of the site administrator. Any user who violates
any condition of this policy is subject to disciplinary action or administrative
sanctions as specified in the Student Code of Conduct and Board policy. In addition
to any other disciplinary action taken, the Technology Department reserves the
right to terminate access to system resources for any user who violates these
guidelines.
The individual in whose name a system account is issued will be responsible at all times for its proper use.
Users shall not let other persons use their name, logon, password, or files for any reason (except for authorized staff members.)
Users shall not use others' system accounts or try to discover another user's password.
Users shall not erase, rename, or make unusable anyone else's computer files, programs or disks.
Users shall not use system resources for any non-instructional or non-administrative purpose, including, but not limited to: personal email account access (e.g. Hotmail, AOL, Yahoo, etc.), instant messaging, online shopping, or personal use of streaming media such as online radio stations or video broadcasts.
Users may not install, download, copy, or distribute copyrighted materials such as software, audio or video, files, graphics, and text without the express written permission of the copyright owner and the permission of the site administrator.
Users shall not use the system for illegal purposes, in support of illegal activities, or for any other activity prohibited by District policy and guidelines.
Users shall not write, produce, generate, copy, propagate, or attempt to introduce any computer code designed to self-replicate, damage, or otherwise hinder the performance of any computer's memory, file system, or software. Such software is often called a bug, virus, worm, Trojan Horse, or other name.
Users shall not use system resources to purposefully distribute, create, or copy messages or materials that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another's reputation, or illegal.
Users shall not use system resources to purposefully access materials that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another's reputation, or illegal. The District provides filtering mechanisms to help prevent accidental access to such materials. However, in the event that accidental access to prohibited materials occurs, users are expected to immediately discontinue such access and report the incident to the supervising teacher or site administrator.
Users shall not intentionally damage the system, damage information belonging to others, misuse system resources, or allow others to misuse system resources.
Users shall not alter or vandalize computers, networks, printers, or other associated equipment and system resources. Alteration or vandalism includes, but is not limited to: removal of parts, intentional destruction of equipment, altering system settings or software, installing unauthorized or unlicensed software or programs, attempting to degrade or disrupt system performance, or attempting to make system resources unusable.
Users shall not remove technology equipment (hardware or software) from its location without written permission of the site administrator.
Users shall not use system resources to distribute or provide personal information or addresses that others may use inappropriately.
Users should be aware that electronic mail (email) and all other files stored on TBISD's network are the property of TBISD. Users should not send any messages or create any files they would not want to be made public. Users with email access must purge their email files on a regular basis in accordance with established retention guidelines and network limitations.
Users shall not use system resources for the forgery or attempted forgery of email messages. Attempts to read, delete, copy, or modify the email of other system users, deliberate interference with the ability of other users to send/receive email, or the use of another person's email account is prohibited.
Users with district email access shall not waste District resources by inappropriate use of the network for sending and receiving a large number of personal messages, including using group email distribution lists to send non-administrative or non-instructional messages to other users.
Users should be aware that the inappropriate use of electronic information resources can be a violation of local, state or federal laws. Violations can lead to prosecution.
Additional information may be found in the Board Policies and Administrative Regulations and in the Student Code of Conduct.)