Introduction

The information and resources available on the Internet expand the Library’s information services beyond traditional collections and electronic resources. The Elyria Public Library System offers access to Internet information resources on the Internet (through the Ohio Public Library Information Network and CLEVNET) in response to the changing information needs of the community. Internet access is one component of the Library’s objective to acquire, organize and preserve information.

Internet resources accessible through the Library are provided equally to all library users. As with all library materials, parents, legal guardians and/or caregivers are responsible for their children’s use of the Internet. Parents are encouraged to work with their children to develop acceptable rules for Internet use.

Disclaimer and Hold Harmless

The Internet is a rapidly changing environment. Not all Internet sources provide accurate, complete or current information, and some may be offensive. The Library staff does not monitor all users at all times, and does not exercise any control over the information accessed by patrons using the Library’s Internet access or the requested material sent to some Internet sites and is not responsible for its content.

All users of this service agree to hold the Elyria Public Library System, it’s Director and employees, and the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations or liabilities, including the cost of litigation, resulting directly or indirectly from their or other’s use of OPLIN and the Internet, caused thereby or arising there from. In no event shall the Elyria Public Library System, it’s Director and employees, or OPLIN have any liability to any third party, even if the Elyria Public Library System or OPLIN had been advised of the possibility of such damages.

Agreement with the Internet Acceptable Use Policy

All Library patrons, by making use of the Library’s Internet access, shall be deemed to have agreed with this policy. A notice shall be posted near the Library’s computers, containing the statement “All Library patrons, by using the Internet access are deemed to have agreed with the Internet Acceptable Use Policy.”

REQUIRED PROCEDURES:

The Library’s computers access the Internet, which is a global entity with a diverse user population. Users use it at their own risk. Users of the Library’s computers need to recognize that electronic transfers of information on files on library computers may not be secure. It is possible that other persons on the Internet, without the library user’s knowledge, could access information or files entered into the Library’s computers. The Library does not guarantee privacy or confidentiality of information or files entered into its Internet computers

Copies of this policy will be posted prominently and will be available upon request from the circulation desk.

Users should bear in mind that the Library’s computers are located in public areas shared by people of all ages and backgrounds, and are expected to show consideration for others when viewing web pages.

The Library’s computers are to be used for educational, informational and recreational purposes only. The Library’s computers connected to the Internet are not to be used to conduct a business. The Library’s computers are not to be used for unauthorized, illegal, immoral, or unethical purposes. Users of Library computing resources must comply with federal and state laws, Library rules and policies, and the terms of applicable contracts including software licenses while using Library computing resources. Examples of applicable laws, rules and policies include the laws of libel, privacy, copyright, trademark, obscenity, and child pornography; the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which prohibit “hacking”, “cracking” and similar activities. Users who engage in electronic communications with persons in other states or countries or on other systems or networks may also be subject to the laws of those jurisdictions and the rules and policies of those other systems and networks. Users shall not send, receive or display text or graphics that may reasonably be construed as obscene or child pornography as defined in the Ohio Revised Code or local Ordinances.

Library employees are authorized to take prompt and appropriate actions to enforce the Internet Acceptable Use Policy, and/or prohibit use by persons who fail to comply with the Policy. Users who intentionally fail to comply with this policy will not only forfeit Elyria Public Library System usage rights, but may also be prosecuted as legally appropriate.

The Library’s computers are normally available, subject to periodic maintenance, during library hours. Sign-ups will be accepted up to 15 minutes before closing. Users should be aware that the computers will be shut down 10 minutes before closing time and should plan ahead for any time-consuming printing or downloading of files from the Internet.

Users shall not modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others by seeking unauthorized access to any computer system, or damage or alter software components of any network or database.

Users shall not use their own software programs on the Library’s computers. Users shall not download from the Internet any software or other files to the Library computer’s hard drive. Users shall not bring any of their equipment to connect to the Library’s computers.

Patrons may save their data to a floppy disk or supported storage medium.

Though the Library’s software scans for viruses, the Library assumes no responsibility for viruses, which may be received while downloading files or software from the Internet. The Elyria Public Library System is not responsible for damage to a patron’s diskette or computer, or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from patron use of the Library’s computer.

Users may not always be able to go to the places on the Internet they want to visit. The reason may be: too many visitors using the host computer; the database or resource is limited to a particular institution; the host computer has a different address or has closed down; or the Library’s OPLIN connection is temporarily unavailable due to technical difficulties.

Preference will be given to children 12 and under for the use of the computers in the Youth Services Room. Parents, legal guardians, and/or caregivers are encouraged to work with them. When and if the Library becomes aware of a minor abusing this Policy, the Library may notify the parents, legal guardian, and/or caregiver of abuses.

E-mail accounts are not provided, however, users may access their own web-based e-mail account if they know how to do so.

No food or drink is allowed in the computer area.

As a courtesy to other patrons and to protect your own privacy, cell phone conversations shall be taken away from the computer area.

Wireless access is provided by the Elyria Public Library System. Use of the Library’s wireless access shall be governed by this Internet Policy and the Rules and Regulations for Conduct in Libraries Operated by the Elyria Public Library System.

Printing

There is a charge of ten cents ($.10) per printed page.

Procedures

Users are assigned to computer terminals on a first come first serve basis. No reservations may be made over the telephone. Staff will sign in patrons: each person who requests to use a public access computer at the Library may be asked to provide his or her CLEVNET Library card, Greater Access card or photo ID before being assigned a computer. IDs are required for sign-in purposes only. Computer access cards are available at the circulation desk for people without a permanent local address. Log-In records will be disposed of daily, without making any permanent record. Users who have had 30 minutes or more on a terminal agree that they will make the terminal available within 5 minutes of being informed by library staff that another person is waiting to use the computer terminal. In determining who will relinquish a computer, preference will be given to those engaged in homework, research or other work of an intellectual nature. Due to space limitations, staff may limit the number of people at a terminal to no more than one at a time with the exception of parents assisting their children.

Computers in the Children’s Room at Main Library and the West River Branch are for the use of children 12 and under. Computers in the Adult Reference area of the Main Library are for the use of patrons 13 and older. For computer use, children under 6 must have a caregiver working with them.

Library Staff Assistance

Except for scheduled Internet or computer training classes held at the Library, Library staff cannot provide in-depth training and assistance but may, however, be able to offer searching suggestions and answer some questions.

Parent’s responsibility

The Library advises parents, legal guardian, and/or caregivers to supervise their children as the children explore information resources on the Internet. Parents are encouraged to work with their children to develop acceptable rules for Internet use. Parents, legal guardians and/or caregivers, are responsible for monitoring the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. As with all other library materials, restriction and control of a child’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent, legal guardian and/or caregiver..

The Library does not serve in loco parentis (in place of a parent). As with all other library materials, Library staff cannot act in the place of parents in providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet. The responsibility for what minors read or view on the Internet rests with parents, legal guardians and/or caregivers. Under no conditions shall Library staff be considered children’s caregivers under this Internet Acceptable Use Policy.

The following are recommended guidelines for parents, legal guardians, and/or caregivers to ensure that children have positive online experiences.

· Use the Internet as a family. Join your children in Internet exploration.

· Explore the wide range of available information and tell your children about sites you consider inappropriate for them.

· Encourage children to use sites recommended on the Library’s homepage and counsel them to avoid sites you consider unsuitable.

· Provide guidelines for your children on the amount of time they spend online, just as for television viewing.

· Instruct children never to give out personal information (name, address, password, telephone number, credit card number) online.

Optional use of filtered search engines

The Elyria Public Library System supports the right and responsibility of parents to direct use of the Internet by their own children, and provides convenient access to filtered search engines on all Internet terminals. Filtered search engines (which are not under the control of the Library) may restrict access to sites, which could be deemed objectionable, but may also limit access to sites which have legitimate research value. No filtering system is completely effective or efficient. Access to filtered search engines has been provided, but Library staff will not require that children utilize filtered search engines for their Internet use.

Policy Revisions

Because Internet matters change rapidly, community user needs may change, and Library staff experience may show a need for revisions to this Internet Acceptable Use Policy, the Board of Trustees hereby authorizes the Library Director to make revisions to this policy, which shall go into effect for the Elyria Public Library System, upon being posted prominently.

Adopted 1/13/03

Amended 10/9/2006