Internet Policy

The East Orange Public Library is committed to providing the Library users with the best and most current resources available. As part of our goal to meet the recreational, informational and educational needs of our public, the Library makes available free access to the Internet.

The Library endorses the American Library Association Bill of Rights.

The Internet is a worldwide entity with a diverse user population. The Library does not endorse or sanction the content or viewpoints expressed on the Internet. The Library does not vouch for the accuracy, authenticity, or timeliness of information accessed via the Internet. Not all the information available on the Internet is current or complete. The Library makes no guarantee, either expressed or implied with respect to the quality or content of information available on the Internet. Because the Internet is a vast and unregulated information network, it may enable access to ideas, information, images, and commentary beyond the confines of development policies. It is left to each user to determine what information is appropriate.

Parents or guardians, not the Library or its staff, are responsible for providing guidance in using the Internet to the children under their care. Parents or guardians are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children. To assist parents, the Library has available the pamphlet, Child Safety on the Information Highway. The pamphlet includes Guidelines for Parents and My Rules for Online Safety. Parents are encouraged to review this information with their children.

The Library staff will not monitor or supervise Internet access, other than for length of use. However, the Library reserves the right to terminate an Internet session at any time.

Users have the right of confidentiality in all their activities with resources and services provided by the Library. The Library supports the user's right to privacy; however, users are advised that because security is technically difficult to achieve, electronic communications and files could become public.

Free E-Mail accounts are allowed using free Internet E-Mail sites.

Users must respect Intellectual property rights by making only authorized copies of copyrighted, licensed or otherwise - controlled software. Downloading is only allowed on library-provided disc.

Internet users are prohibited from:

• Accessing chat rooms.
• Using the Library's Internet resources to conduct a business or commercial enterprise, or engage in commercial activity such as the distribution of advertising.
• Damaging or altering the setup of the equipment used to access the Internet at the Library.
• Attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others.
• Seeking to access other computer systems to which public access is disallowed.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 5/99.