Wireless Internet Access Point Policy of The Ocean City Free Public Library

The library will provide Internet access points or “hot spots” for users with portable computers or devices capable of receiving wireless signals.  These access points will allow users to access the Internet from their laptop/handheld computers when sitting within range of the access points.  Users are required to have a valid Ocean City Free Public Library patron card in order to use the wireless access point’s services.

All wireless access users should have up-to-date virus protection on their laptop computers or wireless devices.  Another possible security measure may include the use of a personal firewall.  Security measures are the responsibility of the wireless access users.

Library staff will provide general information on the settings necessary to access the Internet via these connections, but are not responsible for any changes you make to your computer’s settings and cannot guarantee your hardware will work with our wireless connection.

If a user has problems accessing the Internet over these connections, staff will verify the library’s connections are up and running, but they cannot assist in making changes to the user’s network settings or perform any troubleshooting on the user’s own computer.  Please refer to your owner’s manual or other support services offered by your device manufacturer.

The Internet is a public communications network, which means that there can be untrusted parties between you and anybody you communicate with.  Wireless poses the same risks to your personal information that a wired network poses, as well as some new risks.  Cautious and informed wireless users should choose not to transmit their credit card information and passwords while using any wireless “hot spot.”  As with most public wireless “hot spots,” this connection is not secure.  Potentially any information being sent or received could be intercepted by another wireless user.  Please take appropriate precautions when using this service.

The library will not be responsible for any information (i.e. credit card) that is compromised, or for any damage caused to your hardware or software due to security issues or consequences caused by incorrect configurations, viruses, hacking, or library systems.

The library does not condone illicit or illegal activities and will not be held responsible for such actions of individual users of the wireless hotspot.

The library does not provide e-mail services via the wireless connection.  Printers are not available via the wireless connection; if you need to print, save to a floppy disk and use one of our public workstations to print.

Use of these access points is governed by our Policy on Public Access of the Internet.

Board Approval – 2005-04