Internet Access Policy of the Ocean City Free Public Library
revised - 2006-02-21

Public access to the Internet is available to all Ocean City Free Public Library cardholders on computers in the Adult Reference area and the Computer Center. The Library is making the Internet available to the public as an informational, educational, recreational, and cultural resource in support of our role as this community's information and learning center.

As part of our mission and the professional principles of librarianship, this Internet Use Policy affirms the protection of First Amendment rights, intellectual freedom, equity of access, confidentiality of information about users and their use of all library resources, including electronic and individual, responsibility. The Library affirms the following principles and user rights as outlined in the American Library Association's "Library Bill of Rights in Cyberspace":

● Electronic information, services, and networks provided by libraries should be readily, equally, and equitably accessible to all Library users.
● Libraries and librarians should not deny or limit access to information available via electronic resources because of its controversial content or because of personal beliefs or fear of confrontation.
● Information retrieved or utilized electronically should be considered constitutionally protected unless determined otherwise by a court with appropriate jurisdiction.

The Library does not endorse the viewpoints or vouch for the accuracy or authenticity of information found on the Internet. It is left to each user to determine what information is appropriate. The Library has no control over any of the resources referred to in this document. Some or all of the resources may be unavailable at any time. Although many sources are free, the Library does not provide fees for Web sites or services that charge. Users must access those pay services from their own resources and at their own risk. Internet access provided by the Library is a sampling of Internet resources and makes no claim to be general or comprehensive. The Library does not offer other Internet services such as home internet access, newsgroups, inter-relay chat, web hosting, or electronic mail.

Since the Internet is an unregulated medium, it enables access to some material that may be offensive, disturbing, and or illegal, as well as materials that are personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages. Library staff will make every effort to guide users to sources on the Internet. The Library cannot be held liable for offensive sites that may be found on the Internet. Due to the sheer wealth of information on the Internet, librarians are not able to evaluate sites according to principles applied to collection development.

Library personnel do not monitor or supervise Internet access except for the length of time of use and to ensure system uptime and availability. Users are encouraged to evaluate the validity of information accessed via the Internet.

The Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from connections to the Internet. Users are cautioned that, because security in an electronic environment such as the Internet cannot be guaranteed, all transactions, files, and communications are vulnerable to unauthorized access and use and, therefore, should be considered public.

Since, the Library computers for Internet access are located in public areas which must be shared by Library users of all ages, backgrounds, and sensibilities, individuals are advised to consider this when accessing potentially controversial information and images. The Library reserves the right to end an Internet session at any time if it is creating a disturbance.

The Ocean City Free Public Library prohibits the following:

● Sending, receiving or displaying obscene or pornographic text or graphics inappropriate for a public and open environment.
● Engaging in any activity that facilitates sending, receiving or displaying inappropriate materials to a minor.
● Activities that disrupt the library or its network.
● Loading or downloading software from the Internet or using personal software programs on the library’s computers. 
● Making any attempt to modify, gain access to files, passwords or data belonging to others, seeking unauthorized access to the library’s or any other computer system or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.

The Library has the right to suspend or terminate a user’s access to the Internet as a result of any such disturbance. Punishment will be determined by the following procedures:

Any user who is found to be causing a disturbance will be reminded of the library’s policy and told that they will lose their Internet access privilege the next time this occurs.

WARNING: Software and information downloaded from any sources including the Internet may contain computer viruses or other malicious software. The Library has installed a virus checker on its computers; however, this will not completely protect users from getting viruses and other malicious software. Patrons are advised to have virus-checking software on their computers.

The Ocean City Free Public Library is not responsible for damage to a patron's disk or computer, or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from use of the Library's computers.

CHILD SAFETY ON THE INTERNET
Responsibility for, and any restrictions of, a child's use of the Internet rests solely with his or her parents or legal guardians (Children are defined as people under the age of 18).
The Internet has the potential to be a dangerous place for children; they might be exposed to individuals, images, and ideas that are considered inappropriate or just outright harmful.
Parents or guardians, NOT the Library or its staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. Parental supervision of children using the Internet is not only encouraged, but should be considered essential. It is important that parents assume responsibility for their child's online computer use, at home, at school, and in the library.  Parental involvement is the only way to ensure that a child’s conduct online is safe and appropriate.

To assist parents, the Library has available in print form the pamphlet, "Child Safety on the Information Highway", published by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The pamphlet includes, "Guidelines for Parents", and "My Rules for Online Safety". Parents are encouraged to review this information with their children. Librarians will make a copy of that pamphlet available to parents, children, and all others upon request (printed from the websites located at safekids.com & safeteens.com).

USER RESPONSIBILITIES
All users of the Internet are expected to use this Library resource in a responsible and courteous manner, and to follow all Internet-related rules, regulations, and procedures established for its use, including, but not limited to, those of the Library. Responsible, courteous use of the Internet includes:
● Recognizing that the Internet, like all of the Library's information sources, must be shared and used in a manner which respects the rights of others and refrains from activity that prevents others from using it.
● Using the Library's Internet resources for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only.
● Refraining from using the Library's Internet resources to conduct a business or commercial enterprise, or from engaging in commercial activity such as the distribution of advertising.
● Not engaging in illegal or unethical use of the Internet.
● Respecting intellectual property rights by making only authorized copies of copyrighted, licensed, or otherwise-controlled software or data residing on the Internet.
● Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; and by not seeking disallowed access to any computer system.
● Refraining from making unauthorized entry into other computational, informational, or communication services or resources
● Refraining from damaging or altering the Library equipment and software installations.
● Refraining from altering or damaging data residing on the Library network and the Internet.
● Refraining from the deliberate propagation of computer worms, viruses, trojans, spyware, adware, and any other form of malicious software.
● Refraining from the transmission of defamatory, threatening, harassing, hateful, disgusting, or abusive language and images.

STAFF ASSISTANCE
Staff will provide limited assistance to Library users in getting started on the Internet. The Library cannot, however, guarantee that Staff will be available to assist users at all times. Time permitting, Staff will try to answer specific questions about the Internet and offer suggestions about Internet training opportunities. Internet books and manuals are also available.

COMPLIANCE WITH LIBRARY POLICY AND GUIDELINES
Violation of the policies and regulations that govern the use of the library's Internet resources may result in suspension or loss of privilege to use these resources. Illegal activity involving the Library's Internet resources will be subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities.
The Ocean City Free Public Library prohibits the following:
● Sending, receiving or displaying obscene or pornographic text or graphics inappropriate for a public and open environment.
● Engaging in any activity that facilitates sending, receiving or displaying inappropriate materials to a minor.
● Activities that disrupt the library or its network.
● Loading or downloading software from the Internet or using personal software programs on the library’s computers. 
● Making any attempt to modify, gain access to files, passwords or data belonging to others, seeking unauthorized access to the library’s or any other computer system or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.
The Library has the right to suspend or terminate a user’s access to the Internet as a result of any such disturbance. Punishment will be determined by the following procedures:

Any user who is found to be causing a disturbance by accessing controversial material will be reminded of the library’s policy and told that they will lose their Internet access privilege the next time this occurs.

The library reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.