Internet & Technology Use Policy
Approved 4/12/05

Purpose
In response to ongoing advances in technology and changing needs of the community, the Winter Park Public Library endeavors to develop and maintain collections, resources and services that meet the diverse cultural entertainment, and educational needs of the residents of Winter Park.

In offering the Internet, electronic databases and other technologies as an information resource, the Library enhances its existing collection in size and depth and its role as a public access agency.

In providing public access to the Internet, the Winter Park Public Library subscribes to the principles of intellectual freedom expressed in the American Library Association’s “Library Bill of Rights” and “Freedom to Read” statements and its interpretations of these documents. The Library will not monitor, control, or restrict patron’s access to equipment or the range of information available within the limits of local, state and federal laws.

Policy
1. The Winter Park Public Library may, from time to time, establish procedures regulating use of the Internet, electronic databases and other technologies by the public.

2. This policy applies to computer terminals owned by the Library as well as patrons’ laptops accessing the Internet through the Library’s wireless network.

3. Computing resources may only be used for legal purposes by the public. Examples of unacceptable purposes include but are not limited to the following:
a. libeling or slandering others;
b. obscenity and child pornography;
c. destroying or damaging equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or to others;
d. disrupting or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications; and
e. unauthorized copying of copyright protected material.

4. Computing resources should be used in accordance with the ethical standards of the Library. Examples of unethical use by the public (some of which may also have legal consequences) include but are not limited to:
a. violation of computer system security;
b. unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers assigned to others;
c. use of computer communications facilities in ways that unnecessarily impede the computing activities of others (such as randomly initiating interactive electronic communications or email exchanges, overuse of interactive network utilities, etc.);
d. violation of software license agreements;
e. violation of another user’s privacy; and
f. knowingly downloading or uploading a virus.

5. Downloading information to disc or print is allowed. There is a charge for copies or discs as determined by the Library in its operating procedures.

6. All electronic files on the hard drive are deemed to be the property of the Winter Park Public Library. Users are not allowed to alter any files.

7. Users under the age of 18 must access the Internet from terminals in the Youth Services Department unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

8. Violators of these policies may lose Library privileges. Violations of the policies described above for legal and ethical use of computing resources will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner. Illegal acts involving library computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.

Recommendations
1. Supervising Children’s Use -
The Winter Park Public Library does not serve in loco parentis. Library staff cannot act in the place of parents in providing constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet. While the Library has provided content filters on all Internet terminals, no filtering products are 100 percent accurate. The responsibility for what minors read or view on the Internet rests with parents or guardians. Children should be instructed by parents or guardians never to give out personal information (name, address, password, telephone number, schools attended, etc.) online. Additional suggestions regarding online safety are posted through a link on the Youth Services Web page.

2. Confidentiality and Privacy -
The Winter Park Public Library upholds the right of confidentiality and privacy for all Library users within the limits of the law.

Disclaimer
The Internet is a global electronic network. Internet sites, electronic databases and other technologies are regulated by outside organizations, not by the Winter Park Public Library. As such, they offer access to a wealth of material that is personally, professionally, and culturally enriching to individuals of all ages. It may also offer access to material that some users find controversial, offensive, inaccurate or outdated, and disturbing. The Library provides a highly recommended and widely used filtering system to all terminals in the building as well as one terminal that is unfiltered for adult use upon request. The Library will have no liability for direct, indirect or consequential damages related to the use of information accessed on the Internet from Library equipment.

The Library is not responsible for damage incurred to any user’s personal hardware or software resulting from loading data from the Library’s hardware onto users’ hardware.

* For more information about the Library's Wireless Internet service, please see "Using WPPL Wireless."