The Massillon Public Library is pleased to offer public access to the Internet via OPLIN, the Ohio Public Library Information Network, a state funded electronic network providing an array of electronic databases and access to the Internet. Welcome. We ask that you follow the guidelines listed below as you use the computers at the Library.

INTERNET ACCESS
The Massillon Public Library's Mission Statement affirms that the Library exists to provide the Massillon Community with resources for intellectual and informational pursuits and to provide an open environment which will further these pursuits. The Library considers the Internet one of these resources.

The Library's Internet access is open to everyone. No library card is required.

Because of the sheer volume of information available through the Internet and the fact that thousands of websites are added daily, it is impossible for the Library, or any organization, to monitor or regulate the Internet. Much information on the Internet is not accurate. The Library does not guarantee that any website is authoritative, current, factual, legal, or complete, and cannot be held responsible for its content.

The Library affirms that parents and legal guardians are responsible for restricting the sites selected from the Internet by their children under eighteen years of age. The Massillon Public Library urges parents to accompany and supervise their children while they use the Internet and to develop rules for acceptable Internet use for them. The Internet contains materials which are not appropriate for viewing by minors, and careful instruction by parents or legal guardians is essential for their children.

The Internet also provides access to communication tools which can facilitate conversations with strangers. This could put children in harm's way. Parents and guardians are urged to warn their children about the dangers of disclosing personal information over the Internet. When Library Staff observe minors engaged in viewing inappropriate material or engaged in inappropriate chat or email, they will intervene and instruct the child to move to an appropriate site. Failure by the child to do so may result in ejection from the Library and/or loss of Internet privileges. While adults are, in general, free to access whatever Internet sites they wish, the Library is also respectful of the rights of others, including staff, not to be inadvertently exposed to material and images they may find personally unacceptable. When Library Staff observe an adult engaged in viewing material inappropriate for general public view, Staff members will instruct the adult to move to another site. Failure to comply may result in ejection from the library and/or loss of Internet privileges.

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EQUIPMENT

While the Library strives to keep its equipment in sound working order, it cannot guarantee that equipment will never fail. When these failures occur, the Library regrets any inconvenience they may cause.

To lessen the chance of losing valuable data if the computer freezes, we advise users to save word processing work frequently onto a removable storage device (floppy or CD.) Users should NOT save anything to the hard drive. Software is installed on all public computers that will remove such files when the computer is rebooted.

We recommend that users ask the staff to reboot the computer after transmitting personal or financial information such as credit card transactions or e-mail. Incorrectly logging out of such transactions might allow another computer user to see previous screens.

All users of this resource agree to hold the Library and OPLIN harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations or liabilities directly or indirectly relating to the use of OPLIN and the Internet, caused by the failures or arising from them. In no event shall the Library or OPLIN have any liability for lost profits or for indirect special, punitive, or consequential damages or any liability to any third party, even if the Library or OPLIN is advised of the possibility of such damages.

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ACCEPTABLE USE

It is considered acceptable use to share and retrieve information from the Internet and from OPLIN.

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PROHIBITED USE

The use of OPLIN and the Internet to engage in any activity which constitutes violation of local, state, federal and/or international laws is strictly prohibited. Library customers may not use any non-OPLIN services that will cause degradation of OPLIN-provided services.

Each customer is required to respect the privacy and property of others by not misrepresenting himself, or herself, as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords or data belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system; or by not damaging or altering any software or hardware components of any computer, network or database.

Persons who damage Library hardware or software can be held financially responsible for repair costs incurred by the Library to restore damaged hardware and/or software to its original condition. Parents and legal guardians are financially responsible for any damage to the Library's computers by children under 18 years of age; this includes both the software which operates the computers and that which is directly accessible by Library patrons when that damage is caused by their children.

The CD burner drives found on computers in the Library can be used to create CDs to save information and share it with others. The use of CD burners to make copies of music or software (downloaded or from other CDs) is illegal without permission from the copyright owner. Persons engaged in such activity could be prosecuted if caught. Library staff will not knowingly instruct or assist patrons involved in illegal activity.

The Library reserves the right to withhold access privileges to the Internet from anyone who misuses the network.

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CUSTOMER USE OF PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS

The Library has a limited number of public access computers with Internet connections. To assure access, customers should sign up for a time to use the computer. There is a limit of one sign-up per day per person at any location in the library building. Anyone can call the Library or stop by in person to reserve a time slot by just giving their first and last name.

If you fail to arrive for your scheduled time slot, the library staff can allow another customer to have your slot. If you complete your time slot, and no one is scheduled after you, you may continue into the next hour, or until another person arrives to use the computer. In that event, the Library Staff will ask you to conclude your session immediately so that the next person may have a turn.

The installation of personal software or software from Library books is permitted. Installation and troubleshooting is the patron's responsibility.

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PRINTING AND DOWNLOADING

There is a 15 cent charge for each sheet of printed paper. Please exercise care when you print so that you use only the paper you need. Staff can assist you to print only the pages or selected text you need rather than an entire document. You are responsible to pay for any pages you print.

If you wish to retrieve information and store it for your own personal use later, you may bring blank disks from home. The Library has new floppy disks and CD-R's available for purchase at the Reference Desk for 50 cents each.

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STAFF ASSISTANCE

The Library Staff is available to assist customers with basic operations on the Internet. We are not experts on every facet of technology. We will help you as much as our expertise and time permit.

The Library periodically offers instruction in Internet use. Please inquire at the Reference Desk about our latest schedule.

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CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

The Massillon Public Library Board may revise this policy at any time.

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SOURCES FOR THIS POLICY

This policy is drawn from the Internet policies written by the Allen County (Fort Wayne, IN) Public Library, Lawrence (KS) Public Library, the Salem (OH) Public Library, the Massillon (OH) Washington High School, and the Stark County District Library in Canton (OH) as well as from information gathered at a conference on acceptable use policy sponsored by the Ohio Library Council and presented at the Westerville (OH) Public

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Policy Approved by Massillon Public Library Board 12/3/96. Effective 12/8/96.

Revised 4/1/97; 10/16/97; 4/21/98; 6/25/98; 6/22/00; 8/29/02; 2/26/04