Policy Considerations
What are the Legal Risks?
E-Government is the use of technology, particularly the Internet, as a means to deliver government services and to facilitate the interaction of the public with government entities.
As libraries shift from providing information to providing service, it is time to reassess their legal risks.
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Key Recommendations
Initial steps and what to do on a daily basis.
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Background
Origin of legal risks and how they may have changed.
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Criminal Liability
Definition of and how to avoid criminal liability.
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Civil Liability
Understand duty of care and breaches that cause a user to suffer harm.
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Personal Liability
What Florida statutes have to say.
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Volunteers
Three things that protect your volunteers.
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Testifying in Court
What can and can't a librarian divulge?
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First Amendment and Disability Access
Libraries must consider free speech and disability access.
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Unlicensed Practice of Law
Don't go too far when you offer advice.
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Court Forms
Language to include when non-lawyers help complete legal forms.
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Partnership Agreements
ACCESS Florida and other partnership agreements.
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Network Security
Avoid collecting personal data and other security best practices.
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Disclaimer
Include in your terms of service agreement.
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Training
Train staff and volunteers to help users without increasing liability.
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Sample Language
Review specific scenarios and examples.
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Sources
Lists of laws, cases and secondary sources.
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Appendix
Federal and state laws and attorney general opinions.
