OAKLEY FREE LIBRARY

OAKLEY FREE LIBRARY DISTRICT COMPUTER & INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY

The Oakley Free Library ascribes to the Library Bill of Rights, The Freedom to Read, and The Freedom to View statements of the American Library Association. It is the goal of the Oakley Free Library to make accessible, to patrons, library materials to meet the needs and interests of the community it serves.

Since the Internet is a global electronic network, these is no state/county control of its users or content. The Internet and its available resources may contain material of a controversial nature. The Library cannot censor access to material nor protect users from offensive information. Parents of minor children must assume responsibility for their children's use of the Internet through the library's connection. Parents and children are encouraged to read My Rules for Online Safety, available from the librarian. Another important set of helpful suggestions for your child's safety on the Internet is Child Safety on the Information Highway, reprinted and distributed with permission of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Library staff cannot control the availability of information links, which often change rapidly and unpredictably. Not all sources on the Intent provide accurate, complete or current information. Users need to be good information consumers and question the validity of information.

The Oakley Free Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from use of its WWW server or from its connection to other Internet services, and the opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Oakley Free Library, its Board, or staff members.

All Oakley Free Library Internet users are expected to abide by the following legal and ethical use guidelines:

Legal Use

Computing resources may only be used for legal purposes by the public and staff. Examples of unacceptable purposes include, but are not limited to the following:

*It is not acceptable to use the Internet access for any purposes which violate U.S. or state laws, to transmit threatening, obscene, or harassing materials, or to interfere with or disrupt network users, services, or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not limited to, distribution of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer worms and viruses, and using the network to make unauthorized entry to any other machine accessible via the network.

*Harassment of other users

* Libeling or slandering other users

*Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or other users

*Unauthorized copying of copyright-protected material

*Users may not represent themselves as another person.

*Illegal activities or any other activities that are intended to interfere with or disrupt network users, services, or equipment are prohibited.

Ethical Use

Computing resources should be used in accordance with the ethical standards of the library. Examples of unacceptable use (some of which may also have legal consequences) include, but are not limited to, the following:

*Violation of computer system security

*Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers assigned to others

*Use of computer communications facilities in ways that unnecessarily impede the computing activities of others (such as randomly initiating interactive electronic communications or e-mail exchanges, overuse of interactive network utilities, and so forth)

*Violation of software license agreements

*Violation of network usage policies and regulations

*Violation of another user's privacy

Misuse of the computer or Internet access will result in loss of your computer privileges.

We will be glad to assist you in accessing the Internet and attempt to assist you in getting to the right place on the "Superhighway." However, library staff cannot provide in-depth training concerning Internet computer jargon or personal computer use, nor can we spend a lot of time assisting a new Internet user. We may, however, be able to offer searching suggestions and answer questions.

Prospective users will sign a Computer and Internet Acceptable Use Contract. Youth under 18 years of age will be required to have parental or guardian permission to access the Internet. A parent or guardian must sign a minor's Computer and Internet Acceptable Use Contract in the presence of the librarian, after both the parent/guardian and the minor child have read the agreement.

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POLICY REGARDING DONATIONS OF BOOKS & OTHER MEDIA ITEMS TO THE LIBRARY

The Oakley Library gratefully accepts donations of books and other media items. We do not accept them with stipulations, however. Once they are donated, they become the property of the library to be used or disposed of at the discretion of the library director. Many donated books are sold to provide funds to purchase new books for the library.