The Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library provides a comfortable and equitable environment for the residents of its service area to meet the ever-changing educational, recreational and informational needs. The Library makes resources available in a timely manner including connectivity to electronic databases and information and training in the use of all resources to help residents achieve their learning goals.
The library provides free access to the Internet as an integral part of this mission.
The Internet is a world-wide 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. In providing community access to the Internet, the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library enhances its existing collection in size and depth, and provides the opportunity for any citizen to utilize resources on the Internet.
The Internet offers unlimited access to information, ideas and commentary from around the world and a vast array of tools and resources for different age levels and points of view. However, not all sources on the Internet provide information that is accurate, complete, current or appropriate. The Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library does not endorse the view points or vouch for the accuracy of information obtained through the Internet. The Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed over the Internet and is not responsible for its content. Some resources and destinations contain material that some library users will find personally offensive or inappropriate for children.
The library, through its participation in Cleveland Public Library’s automation system (CLEVNET) and the Ohio Public Library Information network (OPLIN) can and does recommend interesting and useful destinations and resources for library users to explore. These sites, indexed by subject area, can be found in the Electronic Resources section of the CLEVNET home page, through the OPLIN home page and through the home page of the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library.
The library seeks to protect the First Amendment rights of library users and their individual right to privacy. However, Internet users must be sensitive to the fact that workstations are in public areas and therefore images on the screen are subject to view by a wide audience. The workstations owned and operated by the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library will be used for educational, informational and recreational purposes; they may not be used for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes. Library users may not send, receive or display text or graphics which may be construed as obscene under Section 2907.07 01 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Users are prohibited from misrepresenting themselves as another user; attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords or data belonging to others; seeking unauthorized access to any computer system, or damaging or altering software components of any network or database.
The Copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the reproduction, distribution, adaptation, public performance and public display of copyrighted material. Responsibility for any possible copyright infringement lies solely with the user. The Library disclaims any responsibility or liability resulting thereof.
The user also agrees to hold the Library harmless from any claims, losses, damages, obligations, or liabilities relating to the use of information obtained from the Library’s electronic information system including any liability that may occur as a result of the disclosure of financial or other personal information over the system.
Use of the Internet by Children
Providing access to the Internet has created a difficult dilemma for public libraries. On the one hand, the public Library has a commitment to the free flow of ideas and support of the First Amendment rights of library users by offering, through a documented selection process, the widest range of information resources possible. On the other hand, the library’s traditional role of selection is voided by the openness of the information on the Internet. Use of the Internet by juveniles is governed by the Ohio Revised Code which prohibits dissemination of harmful material to juveniles. Access to sexually explicit, violent or age inappropriate materials not defined as illegal by the ORC may be a concern to parents. In an effort to minimize such access and to offer parents a choice of how their children will access the Internet, the library uses filtering software on OPLIN/Internet workstations in the children areas of all libraries*
As with all library materials, parents, guardians and care givers are responsible for their children's use of the Internet. Library staff cannot control the databases that minors can select on the Internet. Parents are encouraged to work with their children to develop acceptable rules for Internet use. Parents and children are encouraged to read Child Safety on the Information Highway jointly produced by the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children and Interactive Services Association. This publication is available at the information desks of all Library agencies and is available electronically on the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library's home page.
Parents and legal guardians are also responsible for their children’s use of e-mail, chat rooms, messaging and other forms of direct electronic communications. This includes the unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.
*No filtering software product on the market today is 100% effective in blocking every sexually explicit or offensive site since new ones are added everyday from all over the world. The library cannot guarantee that sites to which a parent might object will not get past the filter.
Revised Nov. 13, 1999
2. Library customers must sign in at the Information Desk for use of the Library's OPLIN workstations; appropriate identification may be required when signing in.
3. Under no circumstances may customers use their personal software on Library computers.
4. Software downloaded from the Internet may contain computer viruses. Every user is responsible for maintaining virus-checking software on his/her home computer. The Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library is not responsible for damage to any user's disk or computer, or any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from patron use of the Library's computers. The Library does not supply diskettes.
5. Access to various sites on the Internet may be difficult at times, for the following reasons:
- There may be too many visitors on the site and the host computer has limited or closed access
- The host computer has changed its address or has closed down
- The Library's Internet connection may be inoperable due to technical difficulties; these are corrected as quickly as possible
6. Library staff will be glad to assist customers in using the Internet. Because of the many applications available over the Internet, Library staff may not always be familiar with specific programs patrons wish to use. In these cases the patron is responsible for learning how to use the program, the Library cannot provide technical instruction.
7. If customers experience any problems with the computer or programs, they should notify library staff immediately.
8. The Library provides free access to the Internet as part of its mission. Misuse of the computer or Internet access will result in the loss of computer privileges.
Examples of unacceptable use (some of which may also have legal consequences) include but are not limited to the following:
- Harassment of others
- Destruction or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the Library or other customers
- Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications
- Unauthorized copying of copyright-protected materials
- Violation of computer system security
- Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers assigned to others
- Violation of software license agreements
- Violation of network usage policies and regulations
- Violation of another user's privacy
9. The library maintains wireless access points in the public areas of some or all library buildings for customers to access the Internet with their own laptop, PDA or other mobile device. Customers using the library’s wireless network must comply with all library policies and all applicable local, state and federal laws.
There is no cost for this service. Printing from the wireless network is not available. Library customers are responsible for providing and configuring their own wireless equipment. Instructions are provided on the WEPL Website for accessing the wireless network. The library cannot be responsible for lost or stolen personal property, including mobile equipment. Laptop computers or other personal property should not be left unattended in the library.
10. Library customers may not send, receive or display text or graphics that may be construed as obscene under Section 2907.01 of the Ohio Revised Code.
11. Use of the Internet by juvenile is governed by The Ohio Revised Code, Section 2907.31 which prohibits dissemination of harmful materials to juveniles.
Approved 7/96 Revised 6/97, 8/01 and 6/05.
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