The Twinsburg Public Library offers access to information resources on the Internet in response to advances in technology and to the changing information needs of the community. Internet access is one component of the library's objective to acquire, organize and preserve materials which advance human knowledge and stimulate ideas, and to provide free access to these materials to all individuals and groups in the community for purposes of education, information, research or the creative use of leisure time.
The Internet is a worldwide computer network which provides easy access to a massive body of information. The information and resources available on the Internet expand the library's information services beyond traditional collections and electronic resources. Not all Internet sources provide accurate, complete or current information, and some may be offensive. The Internet is a rapidly changing environment. In choosing sources to link to from its homepage, the Library has followed its materials selection guidelines. Beyond this, the Library has no control over the information accessed over the Internet and is not responsible for its content. The Library has created websites for the general public, teens, and children to help guide them to sources that are accurate, complete, and safe. In addition, in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Library has implemented filtering measures on all Internet accessible computers. Users are responsible for determining that the information they access is acceptable, reliable, and suitable to their needs. The Library and its staff assume no responsibility for information accessed via the Internet.
As required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), in order to remain eligible for certain federal funding, the Library has implemented filtering on all Internet-accessible computers within the library. The filtering installed on these computers protects against access of visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and materials that are “harmful to minors”. Users should be aware, however, that all currently available filtering technologies result in a degree of both “underacting” (permitting access to materials that should be blocked) and “overacting” (denying access to certain legitimate websites). The Library has attempted to select filtering software that best complies with CIPA, while providing users with least possible interference from accessing legitimate websites. The Library cannot and does not guarantee that the filtering system will block all obscenity, child pornography, or other materials that are harmful to minors. Nor can the Library guarantee that the filtering system will not restrict access to legitimate websites. In order to help address the overarching problem, the Library requests that all users, both adults and minors, contact the library by email or by using the “Request Access” button shown on the filtering software “blocked page.”
Disabling Internet Filtering
In addition, certain computers may have the filtering system disabled upon request from a person 18 years of age or older in order to obtain unfiltered Internet access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes. Computers in Children’s Place and the Reference OPACs have a restricted list of website categories they may visit. Full Internet Access is not available from these computers.
Access by Minors
Parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for deciding which library resources are appropriate for their own children. Parents and legal guardians should guide their children in the use of the Internet and inform them about materials they should not use. While the Library affirms and acknowledges the rights and responsibilities of parents and guardians to monitor their children’s access to Library materials and resources, including those available through the Internet, the Library has established certain guidelines to assist in safe and effective use of these resources by minors.
In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Library has implemented filtering software as described above in order to limit the access by minors to inappropriate materials on the Internet. Minors age 12 and older may access Internet computers with a Library Card, but will not have access to any blocked websites. Parents/Guardians may complete and return a permission slip that allows their child to access certain or all blocked websites. Minors under the age of 12 may not access the Internet without a Parent or Guardian present.
To address the issues of safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications, as well as unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors, the Library recommends these safety guidelines.
- Never give out identifying information such as home address, school name, or telephone numbers.
- Let parents or guardians decide whether personal information such as age, marital status, or financial information should be revealed.
- Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone via the computer without parents’ or guardians’ approval.
- Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or make one uncomfortable.
- Have parents or guardians report any incident to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 if one becomes aware of the transmission of child pornography.
- Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.
- Remember that everything one reads may not be true.
- In addition, the use of Library computers or technology for hacking, unauthorized access, or other unlawful activity is strictly prohibited.
Rules of Use
Due to the limited resources available for public access to the Internet, the library may set limits on usage of the computers. The Library also reserves the right to limit the amount of time an individual user can devote to a single session. In addition, the Library reserves the right to give priority on computer usage for users conducting bona fide research or schoolwork. Users must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including laws governing the transmission and dissemination of information while accessing the Internet, and with all Library policies and procedures.
Users may not:
Users may be required to have a Library Card with the Twinsburg Public Library, or any other CLEVNET Member Library in order to use computers in the Computer Lab, Computer Classroom, TeenCrossings, Children’s Place, or Reference Database computers. These computers are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reference OPACs are available on a walk-up basis. Wireless Internet Access is available to all users through the use of user-owned equipment. Single-Use guest accounts may be created for users without a Library Card or that do not possess their Library Card. A Driver’s License, State ID, or other Government Issued Photographic ID is required to create a guest account.
Printing is available from most computers within the Library. Users will be charged for each printout to cover the cost of toner and paper. Users may use their own paper, envelopes, etc. but will be charged the normal per-copy rate. Due to the constantly changing nature of documents, Internet sites, and images, all printing is done at the user’s risk. Users should ask for assistance before printing. Users are responsible for all pages that are printed from their computer. Credits and refunds for printouts are only given for errors or problems caused by printer hardware. Free printing allowances and/or pre-paid printing balances cannot be accessed by guest accounts or by users not possessing their Library Card. Pre-paid printing balances cannot be refunded to the user or be used for any other purpose besides printing from the computer network.
The hard drive is not available for long-term storage of files. Files or documents created or downloaded should be saved to a removable disk before the end of the user’s session. Downloading is done at the user’s risk and the library takes no responsibility for any loss of data incurred. In addition, the Library takes no responsibility for loss of information that has been stored to a computer’s hard drive.
Users are expected to respect the needs of other Library patrons. If users disrupt other Library services, or their behavior is inappropriate for a library setting, the Library reserves the right to end their session. Reflecting the vibrant nature of the Twinsburg Public Library, the Computer Lab has been designated as a “Light Conversation/ Cell Phone Friendly” area. Users are permitted to utilize cellular devices for quiet voice conversations, as well as work with groups of people (space permitting) on projects when in the Computer Lab. The Library reserves the right to ask any user to discontinue conversation or cellular device use if it feels that the user is abusing the privilege or being disruptive to other users in the Computer Lab. The Computer Classroom has been designated as a “Quiet Work” area and conversation as well as cellular phone use is prohibited. Out of respect for other Library patrons, use of cellular phones while using all other computers is prohibited.
From time to time, the Computer Classroom may be utilized by staff or outside groups for instructional sessions during which time other users may or may not be permitted access to the area. Users are expected to respect all Library property. Users are responsible for any damage done to Library computers and equipment while they are at a workstation.
Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users’ activities. However, The Twinsburg Public Library will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the public except as required by law or necessary for the proper operation of the Library.
Wireless Internet Access
The Twinsburg Public Library provides free Wireless Internet Access as a service to the community. Wireless Internet Access is provided for use with user-owned equipment. The Library cannot provide equipment for use with the Wireless Internet Access. In addition, Library staff can only provide general information or handouts for connection to the Wireless Internet Access and cannot troubleshoot problems with a user’s wireless device or network settings. The Library cannot guarantee that a user’s device will work with the Library’s Wireless Internet Access.
In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, Internet Filtering is applied to all computers that use Wireless Internet Access via the Twinsburg Public Library.
It is recommended that all devices connecting to the Wireless Internet Access have updated anti-virus and firewall software. Wireless Internet Access through the Library is provided on an unencrypted, unsecured wireless network. Users should be aware that any information transmitted to and from the Internet is unsecured and may be viewable to third parties. It is recommended that users not transmit any sensitive data such as credit card information or passwords over the Wireless Internet Access. The Library is not responsible for any personal information that may be compromised through use of the Wireless Internet Access. Nor is the library responsible for any damage done to hardware or software while using the Wireless Internet Access.
Users are expected to comply with all federal, state and local laws, as well as any library policies, while using the Wireless Internet Access.
The Twinsburg Public Library reserves the right to take appropriate action to insure compliance with this policy.
Policy Subject to Revision
The Twinsburg Public Library’s “Computer Acceptable Use Policy” may be revised from time to time.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on June 21st, 2005
Updated and approved by the Board of Trustees on July 21st, 2010