Internet Use Policy

The McKinley Memorial Library provides access to the Internet and other electronic resources as part of our mission to help patrons obtain information to meet their personal, educational, and professional needs.

The following policy guidelines apply to the use of all Internet computers and wireless Internet access in the Library. Violation of any or all of these policies may result in the loss of Internet usage privileges in the McKinley Memorial Library.

Library staff cannot be familiar with every Internet site and computer. Patrons are responsible for determining the value and appropriateness of the material found on the Internet. In addition, information found on the Internet is not guaranteed to be accurate, authoritative, factual, legal, acceptable, or complete to all patrons. Furthermore, the Library’s security system may limit access to some Internet sites and services.

Patrons utilizing the Internet for personal communication, monetary purchases, legal transactions, or other functions involving the release of confidential information do so at their own risk; the Library will not be held responsible for any liabilities that might arise from such use.

The Library is not responsible for any loss of information due to any hardware malfunctions, network or power outages, or any malicious software (i.e., a computer virus). Downloading or file transfer of any data is done at a patron’s own risk. The Library is not responsible for any computer virus or other malicious software a patron encounters while using our computers.

While using the Internet at the Library, patrons must comply with the Library’s Policy on Behavior and Conduct in the Library and all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Illegal use or abuse of Library computers or the Internet is prohibited. Such use includes, but is not limited to:

  • Using the Internet to harass or threaten others
  • Tampering with, moving, vandalizing, or disrupting the Library computers
  • Gaining unauthorized access to computer systems and networks (hacking)
  • Turning off, unplugging, or rebooting the equipment
  • Unauthorized downloading of copyrighted material
  • Installing application software on Library computers

Library staff will not actively monitor a patron’s Internet use unless material displayed on a screen is deemed inappropriate for viewing in a public library environment. Patrons are not permitted to display any visual images containing nudity, pornography, obscenity, or graphic violence. Acceptability of screen displays will be left to the discretion of supervisory Library staff.

Children using the Internet will be held to these same guidelines; however, additional supervision regarding the content of Internet material and/or types of Internet activity is at the discretion of the parent or guardian. Library staff will not be responsible for determining what is appropriate for any patron.

Patrons in violation of any of the Library’s Internet Use Policies will result in one warning; the second violation will result in loss of computer usage for 3 months; the third violation will result in loss of computer usage for 6 months; and every violation afterward will result in loss of computer usage for 1 year.

All Internet computers are equipped with a filtering program that limits access to Internet sites and services in accordance with the Library’s Internet Use Policy. An adult patron (ages 18 and over) may request that access be restored to an individual site as “to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purpose” (Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000).

If the site is questionable in this regard, the patron may submit a written request for reconsideration of the filtered site. This request will be forwarded to the Library Director. If the site is deemed acceptable, it will be changed to an unfiltered site at a later date. If the Director determines the site to be unacceptable, and future access is denied, the patron may request that this decision be reviewed by the McKinley Memorial Library Board of Trustees.

In addition, access to some Internet sites and services could be blocked because they represent potential security threats to the computer and/or Library network.

Patrons and/or the parent/guardian/caregiver is liable for any damage done to a computer’s hardware or software and for any illegal or unethical acts performed through our system. This is not limited to physical damage or vandalism. Tampering with local or remote computer files and/or committing legal or ethical violations of acceptable Internet use may result in loss of Internet privileges at the Library and could also result in financial liability and/or criminal charges.

The Library does not guarantee that the Library computers or the Internet will meet any patron’s requirements or that the service will be error free or uninterrupted. The Library is not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages (including lost profits/ data or stolen personal information) sustained or incurred in connection with the use, operation, or inability to use or operate the Library's computers or the Internet.

The Library’s Internet service is provided by OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network), a state-funded program. The OPLIN service is normally available during Library hours; however, periodic technical difficulties can occur, which the Library can neither control nor be held responsible for. In addition, the Library cannot ensure access to all resources at any given time from remote computer systems. Information about OPLIN is available at https://www.oplin.ohio.gov/.

Patrons using the Library’s wireless Internet access via their own devices must abide by all of the above Internet Use Policy provisions. For more information regarding wireless access at the McKinley Memorial Library, please refer to the Wireless Internet Access Policy.

The Internet Use Policy is subject to revision at any time by the McKinley Memorial Library Board of Trustees and/or by the administration of OPLIN. All Internet users must abide by the current, active policy in place at the time of use.

Revised and approved by the McKinley Memorial Library Board of Trustees on September 8, 2022.