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Omaha Public Library
Internet Policy and Disclaimer The Internet, a powerful, valuable, and easily accessible medium of gathering information has emerged and has forever changed the methods by which we as citizens of this country will gather information to educate ourselves and our children. To fulfill our mission, the Omaha Public Library provides access to a broad range of information resources, including those available through the Internet. Use of the Internet at the Omaha Public Library is a privilege not a right. We make the Internet service available as part of our mission to offer a broadly defined program of informational, educational, recreational and cultural enrichment opportunities for residents of Omaha and the greater Douglas County region. The Internet is, in general, an unregulated medium of information and communication. The Omaha Public Library does not monitor and has no control over the information provided through the Internet. Information on the Internet is not necessarily current, accurate, or complete. While much valuable information is available on the Internet, some may be considered by our local community standards to be obscene, patently offensive or harmful, especially to minor children, as defined by applicable state and/or federal laws. The Omaha Public Library must attempt to balance the desire for free unrestricted access to varying informational sources against the need to avoid material that may be harmful to minors or that violates community standards as defined by applicable state law and/or is obscene. For purposes of this policy minors are defined to include all individuals under the age of eighteen years. II. FILTERING BY OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY The Omaha Public Library has deemed that it is appropriate and necessary to install software that will limit a minor’s exposure to some Internet materials. The software will be used to block Internet sites that could be offensive and harmful to minors. However, it must be noted that filtering software may not block all information that may be harmful to minors. III. PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES As filtering software may not be able to filter all information that may be harmful to minors, and some unfiltered materials some parents may deem unfit for their minor children, the Omaha Public Library strongly suggests parents supervise their minor children’s Internet sessions. The Omaha Public Library also encourages parents to discuss the use of the Internet with their minor children in relation to family values and boundaries. Parents are urged to read Child Safety on the Information Highway. or the Librarian's Guide to Cyberspace for Parents and Kids. These publication is available at your library. IV. INTERNET ACCESS BY MINORS: REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS A minor, a person under the age of eighteen, must use a computer equipped with a filtering device unless they have been given written approval by their parent or legal guardian to use a computer not equipped with a filtering device. Written approval must be in the form of approval slips provided by the Omaha Public Library. Approval slips will be available at each computer location and available upon demand by a minor or a parent or legal guardian. The Omaha Public Library provides two separate sections for computer access by minors depending on their age. The first is designed as the Kids Connection Learning Center for young adults age 10 to 18. The Learning Center is designed to develop academic skills through educational games and software. These computers are available to complete homework and support educational activities. Learning Center computers will provide filtered access to the Internet. The second section is designated as the children’s computer center for minors under the age of 10. Materials housed in the children’s area are selected to be appropriate for the age level and young children. Children’s center computers will provide filtered access to the Internet. Caution: The filtering of minor’s computers cannot control or deny access to all material that the law or an individual may deem inappropriate for a minor. While the Omaha Public Library has deemed that there is a compelling interest in providing filtering for computers to be used by minors, it remains the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian to supervise, discuss, and regulate their minor’s use of the Internet. V. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF USER Use of the Internet is a privilege, not a right. The Omaha Public Library expects patrons, in order to keep their privileges intact, to use the resources in a responsible manner. Rules for computer use, including time limits, will be established by the library administration, subject to approval by the Library Board. Responsible use of the Internet at the library includes, but is not limited to the following:
Violations may result in loss of library privileges or access. Unlawful activities will be referred to the appropriate legal authority and will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner. The Omaha Public Library is not responsible for any damages, direct or indirect, or for any liability that may arise from a patron’s use of the library’s Internet services. Approved by the Library Board of Trustees |