South Orange Public Library

The Orange Public Library, as indicated in its Long Range Plan, hopes to provide the people of Orange, through new communication and new information technology and networks, access to information and library materials that meet their diverse and changing needs locally, statewide, nationally, and globally. The Internet is a worldwide entity with a diverse user population. Our patrons access and use it at their own risk. The Library does not monitor, nor does it have control over the information found through the Internet and is not responsible for its content, timeliness, or accuracy Access to Internet Resources. 1.1 Subject to the conditions set forth below, the Orange Public Library ( the "Library" ) is committed to providing free, open, and equal access to the Internet. This policy furthers the Library's mission of offering the broadest range of material to Orange's diverse community. It is consistent with the principles of intellectual freedom expressed in the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, which the Library endorses and follows. 1.2 The Internet is an unregulated medium. It offers access to material that may be personally, professionally, and culturally enriching. It also offers access to material that may be inaccurate, incomplete, untimely, illegal, and, in the view of some users, offensive to themselves or inappropriate for their children. The Library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and is not responsible for its content. Under 47 U.S.C. Section 230, the Library shall not be treated as the publisher of any information on the Internet provided by another party. 2.1 The Library affirms the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected material. The Library also affirms the right and responsibility of parents and legal guardians of minor children to determine and monitor their own children's use of Library materials and resources. 2.2 Parents or guardians who wish to limit or restrict the access of their own children should personally oversee their children's use of the Internet. The Library does not monitor or supervise the use of computers by minors. The Library does not act in loco parent is ; it does not take the place of parents or guardians in deciding what children may read or view. Parents and children are encouraged to read "Child Safety on the Information Highway, " published by the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children, a copy of which is herewith provided. 2.3 As set forth in paragraphs 3.5 and 3.10 below, the Library supports users' right to privacy. The Library's workstations, however, cannot be made completely private or completely secure. Current technology cannot guarantee perfect security ; users should be aware that electronic communications and files may become public. Users, moreover, should be mindful that the Library's computers are located in a shared and public space and that a user's research may be visible to passersby or to neighboring computer users. 2.4 Library staff is available to assist users with reference questions. Staff, however, is unable to give users extensive instruction in computer or Internet use or provide users with extensive aid in troubleshooting equipment or Web-related problems. 3.1 Persons wishing to use one of the Library's computers must present acceptable identification to the Reference Desk. Acceptable identification includes currently valid identification or current documentation that shows the user's name and place of permanent residency, such as an unexpired library card, a driver's license, a utility bill, or a school identification card. Personal mail is not an acceptable form of identification, nor is your social security card.