Over the Internet Ft. Berthold Library users can vist sites nearly everywhere and anywhere on Earth.  The Internet is an unregulated worldwide system of over 1,000,000 computers, with estimations that suggest over 30 million Internet users.  The number of Internet sites and computer users could possible double each year.

Since the Internet is an unregulated resource, information obtained through it may be inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, biased, inappropriate or offensive.  Individuals use it at their own risk.  Persons must exercise personal judgement in evaluating the validity and appropriateness of the information.  There are many criteria to consider in evaluating information, one of the ways of evaluating that information, is by using the material by Robert Harris,a Professor of English at Southern California College in Costa Mesa, California. entitled Evaluating Internet Research Sources .

The Ft. Berthold Library has no control over the information on the Internet.  The Library cannot censor access to material not protect users from offensive information.

The Ft. Berthold Library provides this resource for educational, informational and recreational purposes only, not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes.  The Ft. Berthold Community College Acceptable Use of Technology policy is posted at each computer and any user is subject to those terms.  It is the policy of the Ft. Berthold Reservation Library that full responsibility for the use of materials and resources by a minor under the age of 18 rests with his or her parents or legal guardian.  Minors are required to have a Parental Consent and Agreement Form on file with the library before they will be allowed Internet access.  Parents should also be aware that the Library does not employ any filtering of blocking software at this time.  Parents and guardians are responsible for determining that the information accessed is appropriate, reliable, andsuitable for their children's needs.  Parents are encouraged to work with their children to develop acceptable rules and guidelines for Internet use.  Parents and children are also encouraged to read "Child Safety on the Information Highway", jointly produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Interactive Services Association.  There is an Internet Safety Quiz for Kids available from the above site.

Use of the computer will be on a first come, first serve basis and is free to the public.  7 pages may be printed free of charge and then a recovery fee of $ .10 per page is assessed.  The Library does not supply data disks.  The Ft. Berthold Library is not responsible for damage to any user's disk of personal computer, or the loss of any data, damage, or liability to the user that may occur from patron use of the Library's computers.

The Library staff does assist patrons in using the Internet and computers.  Staff time for assistance is given in relation to availability.  The priority for assistance is educational and informational, with leisure and recreational last priority.  Because of the many and varied applications availble over the Internet, Library staff may not always be familiar with specific programs patrons wish to use.  In these cases the patron is responsible for learning how to use the program.  The Library reserves the right to end a patron's use of the Internet and or computers due to disruptive actions or complaints from other patrons.

Access to various sites on the Internet may be difficult at times, for the following reasons:

• There may be too many visitors on the site and the host computer has limited or closed access.
• The host computer has changed its address or has closed down.
• The Library's Internet connection may be inoperable due to technical difficulties. These are corrected as quickly as possible.

If users experience any problems with the computer or programs, do notify Library staff immediatly.

Rules from the FBCC Acceptable Use of Technology:

The Fort Berthold Reservation Library does not permit downloading of programs and games, nor does the Library maintain eimail accounts for Internet users at this time.

Users may not alter, damage, abuse or sabotage computer equipment or software; change configurations, or install any software.

Users may not use any Library terminal for illegal purposes, such as violating licensing agreements and copyright laws or the transmission of pornographic material.

Users are limited to 45 minutes at a Library terminal, including printing, while others are waiting.