Internet Policy
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| Internet Access Policy | Wireless Internet Usage Policy |
Internet Access Policy
(rev. 6/20/05)
Public access to the Internet is available to all users of the Florham Park Free Public Library on selected computers. The Library is making the Internet available to the public as an informational and educational source in support of our role as the community’s information and lifelong learning center.
Consistent with our mission and the professional principles of public librarianship, this Internet Access Policy affirms the safeguarding of First Amendment rights, intellectual freedom, equity of access, confidentiality of information about users and their use of all library resources including electronic, and individual responsibility. The Library affirms the following principles and user rights as delineated in the American Library Association’s “Library Bill of Rights in Cyberspace:”
Back to TopElectronic information, services, and networks provided by libraries should be readily, equally, and equitably accessible to all library users.
Libraries and librarians should not deny or limit access to information available via electronic resources because of its controversial content or because of personal beliefs or fear of confrontation.
Information retrieved or utilized electronically should be considered constitutionally protected unless determined otherwise by a court with appropriate jurisdiction.
Responsibility for, and any restriction of, a child’s use of the Internet rests solely on his or her parents or legal guardians.
The Library assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, arising from its connections to the Internet. The Library makes no guarantee, either expressed or implied, with respect to the quality or content of the information available on the Internet. Not all the information available via the Internet is accurate, current or complete. Users are encouraged to be good information consumers by evaluating the validity of information accessed via the Internet.
Users are cautioned that ideas, points of view and images can be found on the Internet that are controversial, divergent and/or inflammatory. By providing access, the Library neither endorses nor sanctions the content or point of view of any of the information or commentary that may be found on the Internet.
The Internet offers access to a wealth of information that can be personally, professionally and culturally enriching. The Internet is a vast and unregulated information network. It enables access to ideas, information, images and commentary beyond the confines of the Library’s collection, mission, selection criteria and collection development policies. Because of this and the fact that access points on the Internet can and do change often, rapidly and unpredictably, the Library cannot protect individuals from information and images which they might find offensive or disturbing.
The Library computers on which the public can access the Internet are located in public areas that must be shared by library users of all ages, backgrounds and sensibilities. Individuals are asked to consider this when accessing potentially controversial information and images. Library personnel do not monitor or supervise Internet access, except for the length of time of use. However, the Library reserves the right to ask individuals to discontinue the display of information and images that cause a disruption in public areas by moving to a less public computer monitor.
Users are cautioned that, because security in an electronic environment such as the Internet cannot be guaranteed, all transactions, files, and communication are vulnerable to unauthorized access and use and therefore should be considered public.
The Library will not send or receive patron e-mail using Library accounts.
Back to TopWireless Internet Usage Policy
(rev. 2/20/06)
The Florham Park Library provides wireless Internet connectivity as a service for patrons with wireless-enabled devices.
- The library does not filter the wireless network, which is available to anyone with a compatible laptop computer or other device, including children. Parents wishing filtered Internet access for their children should purchase filtering software for their laptop computer or other device.
- By choosing to use this free wireless service, patrons agree to abide by both the Library’s Internet Use Policy as well as this Wireless Internet Usage Policy, which prohibit disruptive or illegal activity while using the Library’s Internet service. Copies of these policies are available at the Circulation Desk and at workstations throughout the building. It is the responsibility of the user to understand these policies and his/her obligation to refrain from inappropriate or illegal activities.
- Patrons shall defend, indemnify, and hold the Florham Park Free Public Library and its officers, employees, and agents harmless against all claims, actions, and judgments based on or arising out of the patrons’ use of the Library’s wireless network.
- The user assumes all responsibility for the use of the Library’s wireless network. The Library is not responsible for any alterations of or interference with a laptop’s configuration or operation or data files resulting from connection to the wireless network. The Library is not liable for the consequences of wireless network use in any way, including the transmission of computer viruses, loss of data or e-mail, or any harm resulting from the use of an unsecured server. The Library is not liable for the loss or compromise of any confidential or sensitive, or any other information, and for any and all damages resulting from that loss or compromise. In addition, the Library assumes no responsibility for damage, theft, or loss of any kind to a user’s equipment, software, data files, or other personal property brought into or used at the Library’s facilities.
- The Library does not guarantee that all devices will be compatible with the wireless Internet service.
- Users must know how to configure their own equipment. Library staff members cannot configure a patron’s laptop or network card or help establish a wireless network connection. The library does not provide wireless network cards or laptops to patrons. The library staff is not available for computer training or troubleshooting of a patron’s computer. Patrons seeking Internet connectivity assistance are asked to use one of the library’s computers available for public use.
- Wireless connections may be less secure than a wired connection. Virus and security protection are the user’s responsibility.
- Signal strength may vary in the building. The Library cannot guarantee that the service will be available at any specific time.
- There is no printing capability.
- This service is not to be used as a permanent connection.