Internet Access & Use Policy & Guidelines

It is the policy of the Washington-Centerville Public Library to provide, as resources permit, free Internet service through various mediums including but not limited to wired, wireless connections, and mobile hotspots, for education and informational purposes in an environment that is secure and conducive to public use and in a manner that complies with federal, state, and local laws. The Library does not monitor information accessed through the Internet and cannot warrant that the information is accurate, authoritative, complete or inoffensive, including information contained in any form of electronic communication.

The Library uses filtering software to block access to some Internet sites. Users should be aware that the filtering software may not be effective in blocking all objectionable content and may block some content that is unobjectionable and suitable for access in the library. Internet users in the children’s or teen’s area of any library location are not permitted to access Internet sites which may be unsuitable for minors. Users in all areas of library locations may not use Internet sessions in a manner that is deliberately offensive or creates a hostile or intimidating environment. Users may not view, send, receive, or display sexually explicit materials, child pornography, obscene materials, or any content that is illegal as defined in any local, state or federal statute.

Users may not attempt in any way to alter, damage, or sabotage computer hardware or software and will be financially responsible for any malicious damage. The Library is not responsible for damage to a patron's storage device, media, or computer, or for any loss of data, damage, profits, or liability that may occur from use of the library's computers. All users of this service agree to hold Washington-Centerville Public Library and the Ohio Public Library Information Network harmless from any claims, losses, damages, obligations, or liabilities relating to the use of WCPL computers, network, or other equipment, or to the use of information obtained from the library’s resources. In no event shall the Washington-Centerville Public Library have any liability for lost profits or for indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages or any liability to any third party, even if the Washington-Centerville Public Library or OPLIN is advised of the possibility of such damages.

USE OF THE INTERNET BY CHILDREN

Parents, guardians, and caregivers are responsible for their children's use of the Internet and are strongly encouraged to work with their children to develop acceptable rules of Internet use. It is their responsibility to set family standards and guidelines and to decide which library resources and internet websites are appropriate for their children. We strongly recommend that parents/guardians work with their children when they are using the Internet.

• Location: Children's Room
• Access to: Age-appropriate, educational computer games

• Location: Main Library area
• Access to: Library online resources, Internet, MS Office® products

• Location: Anywhere in the Library and on Library premises
• Access to: Library online resources, Internet

• Location: Anywhere within range of a cell phone tower
• Access to: Internet

• Send, receive or display child pornography or obscene materials as defined in any local, state or federal statute.
• View sexually explicit materials, including:
  1. Information, images or implications of bondage, sadism, masochism, fetish, beating, body piercing or self-mutilation.
  2. Anything relating to pornography, including mild depiction, soft pornography or hard-core pornography.
• Display any imagery that is harmful to juveniles as defined in any local, state or federal statute.
• Use personal software on Library computers.
• Use for any illegal purpose.
• Alter or cause damage to software, service, or equipment, or harm other users.
• Seek unauthorized access to any computer system, files, data, network, database, or security system.
• Use another person’s Library card, or misrepresent themselves, to gain Internet access on Library computers.
• Attempt to bypass the proxy server.

• Honor the privacy of others and obey copyright law of the United States.
• Use credit cards, personal account passwords, social security and tax identification numbers and send information solely at own risk.
• End the Internet session at the request of Library Staff.
• Sign in to Library computers using Library card or guest pass.
• Have no more than two users per workstation.
• Internet sessions may be of limited time if others are waiting.
• Be sensitive to the fact that the computers are in public areas and, therefore, images on the screen may be subject to view by other patrons.

• Users violating the Internet Use policies will be advised of Library policies and be asked to comply.
• If Library staff have knowledge of a crime being committed (child pornography, damage to equipment, etc.) law enforcement authorities will be contacted.
• The Library reserves the right to suspend Internet and/or Library privileges.
• Parental notification may be sent if children under 18 violate policies.

Adults may request, without explanation, that a blocked site be temporarily unblocked. Proof of age may be required. Adult Services Specialists may override the filter as long as the site does not violate the Library's Internet Access and Use Policy and is not a proxy avoidance site.

Children under 18 may request that Adult Services Specialists temporarily unblock a site if it:

• is for bona fide research, medical, scientific, educational, governmental, judicial, or other lawful purpose AND
• does not qualify as “harmful to juveniles” under Ohio law.

A reason for the request may be required. Parents or legal guardians of children under 18 may request, in person, that a site be temporarily unblocked for their child’s access if it meets the above requirements.

• No filtering software on the market today is 100% effective.
• Filtering software limits legal liability and is compliant with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and other related statutes.
• Washington-Centerville Public Library uses OpenDNS software to filter*:
  • Tasteless - Sites that contain information on such subjects as mutilation, torture, horror, or the grotesque. Includes Pro-Anorexia and Pro-Suicide related sites.
  • Sexuality - Sites that provide information, images or implications of bondage, sadism, masochism, fetish, beating, body piercing or self-mutilation. This category is not intended for LGBT related sites that do not fall under the aforementioned criteria.
  • Pornography - Anything relating to pornography including mild depiction, soft pornography or hard-core pornography.
  • Proxy/Anonymizer - Sites providing proxy bypass information or services. Also, sites that allow the user to surf the net anonymously, including sites that allow the user to send anonymous emails.