Wireless Internet Access Policy

To fulfill its mission of providing access to information of all types in a wide range of formats, the Garden City Public Library (hereinafter also referred to as “the Library”) provides wireless Internet access for laptop computers. It is not intended for business or commercial purposes.

1. All users of the Library’s wireless service must abide by the Library’s “Wireless Internet Access Policy.”
2. The Library reserves the right to disconnect any device and to provide equal opportunity for wireless access to all users.
3. Laptop computer users must be considerate of patrons nearby and refrain from excessive noise including the playing of music without the use of headphones. Patrons not adhering to this policy may be asked to leave the library.
4. The Library is not responsible for patron-owned equipment left unattended.
5. The Library is not responsible for any damage that may occur to the user’s computer while it is connected to the wireless network, including, but not limited to hardware, software, or data loss due to power surges, power loss, service interruptions, computer viruses, spyware, and any other type of computer malware.
6. The Library staff is not available for computer training or troubleshooting of the patron’s computers. Patrons experiencing technical difficulties or needing assistance with research may be asked to use one of the Library’s computers available for public use.
7. There are no printers available for laptop computer users. Saved files can be copied to a diskette or USB drive and brought to one of the Library’s public-access computer workstations for printing. The Library is not responsible for data loss that may occur while printing.
8. Laptops, notebook computers, and PDAs may not be connected to Library computers or to the Library’s wired network.
9. Users may not plug their devices into the Library’s electrical outlets except where designated. The Library is not responsible for any damage to your equipment that may result from using the Library’s power supply. Under no circumstances are the power strips to be moved or wires of any kind to extend across an area where someone might walk.
10. It is the intention of the Library to be in full compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (Public Law Number 106-554 and 47 USC 254 Ch.). In addition to this “Wireless Internet Access Policy,” it is the Library’s policy to prohibit use of Library resources to obtain, view, or display obscene materials. In addition to this “Wireless Internet Access Policy,” we have in place the operation of a “technology protection measure,” and we enforce its operation. Internet access is filtered by means of software that attempts to block access to obscene, sexually explicit, and hate materials. As children can be found everywhere in the Library, all workstations are filtered. However, the Internet is a highly fluid, fast-changing environment, and no filtering system can be considered fail-safe. The Library staff is pleased to guide and assist children in their use of the Internet, but staff cannot accompany all children at all times. It is the Library’s policy that parents must assume responsibility for supervising their children’s use of the Internet.
11. The Internet provides access to information that parents may find objectionable or inappropriate, but which is not obscene. Parents should counsel with their children and guide their use of the Internet just as they guide their reading and viewing habits. Library staff is pleased to offer suggestions, but only parent and child can decide what is appropriate for a particular child. Parents should supervise their children’s Internet sessions.
12. Parents are urged to read “Child Safety on the Information Highway,” which was jointly produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Interactive Services Association; copies are available at the Children’s, Young Adult, and Reference Departments.
13. All users, especially minors, should be very cautious in giving personal information on the Internet when using direct electronic communications, such as e-mail. For the safety and security of all users, and because of limited network resources, the Library filters chat rooms and prohibits their use on its network. The Library will not disclose, use, or disseminate personal identification information regarding minors without proper authorization.
14. The Library provides Internet access via a CIPA compliant filter. A person 17 years or over may, upon request, have the technology protection measure disabled. Only Library staff may disable the technology protection measure, and procedures for the disabling, or otherwise modifying any technology protection measure shall be the responsibility of the Library Director or designated representative. Any person wishing to have the technology protection measure disabled must sign a written Internet Access Policy and submit valid identification to Library staff when a question arises as to the whether age 17 has been attained. Failure to submit identification, or identification that does not satisfactorily prove attainment of age 17, when requested to do so shall result in denial of the request to disable the technology protection measure. The decision of library staff as to what constitutes satisfactory identification shall be final. In all disputes concerning disabling of the technology protection measure, the Library staff’s decision will prevail and be final.Sites that provide services that are not consistent with of the Library’s informational mission or that present a risk to network security will remain blocked even when the filter is otherwise disabled. Examples include but are not limited to adware, chat, and social networking.
15. There is no cell phone use permitted in the library. Patrons may not use their cell phones in conjunction with their laptop computers to conduct business in the library. Cell phones may be used in the foyer or outside the building.
16. Users may not use the wireless network to:a. make unauthorized entry into other computational, informational, or communications services or resources;b. distribute unsolicited advertising or SPAM;

    c. invade the privacy of others;

    d. engage in any activity that is harassing, defamatory, or deliberately and maliciously offensive, libelous, or slanderous;

    e. obstruct other people’s work by consuming gratuitously large amounts of network resources, or by deliberately crashing any computer system;

    f. make any attempt to cause degradation of network performance;

    g. use the network for any illegal or criminal purpose;

    h. use Internet services to acquire, display, or print obscene, pornographic, or offensive sexual materials;

    i. violate copyright laws, software licensing agreements, other rights of third parties;

    j. use the Internet for chat-room or instant-messaging purposes;

    k. use the Internet for any commercial purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to the purchase or sale of items, including trading securities.

17. CIPA Definitions of Terms:Technology Protection Measure. The term “technology protection measure” means a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access to visual depictions that are:a. Obscene, as that term is defined in section 1460 of title 18, United States Code;

    b. Offensive, as that term in defined in Article 245.11 of the New York State Penal Law, which prohibits “public display of offensive sexual material” on a “viewing screen.”

    c. Child Pornography, as that term is defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code; or

    d. Harmful to Minors.

    Harmful to Minors. The term “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:

    a. Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;

    b. Depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact.

    c. Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

    Sexual Act; Sexual Contact. The terms “sexual act” and “sexual contact” have the meanings given such terms in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code.

18. The patron understands the wireless Internet connection is unsecured and open to everyone. The Library is not responsible for any financial loss that may occur while using the wireless Internet. This includes, but is not limited to, loss due to improper use of online financial tools, personal information intercepted while being transmitted and identity theft.
19. As with printed publications, not all sources on the Internet provide accurate, complete, or current information. Users should evaluate Internet sources just as they do printed publications, questioning the validity of the information provided.
20. The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and information content. Library patrons use it at their own risk. The Library cannot protect users from information they may find offensive. In choosing sources for our website, we follow generally accepted library practices. We select sites using the same criteria by which we select books. Beyond this, we do not monitor or control information accessible through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content. We are not responsible for unannounced changes in content of the sources to which we link, or for the content of sources accessed through secondary links that we did not create.
21. The Library does not provide direct links to sources known to contain computer viruses. While the Library endeavors to protect users’ computers from viruses, it cannot guarantee that it will be successful in doing so in every case. Software downloaded from the Internet may contain a virus and users need to have virus-checking software on their computers.
22. The Library is not responsible for any damages, direct or indirect, or for any liability that may arise from patron use of the Library’s Internet services.
23. Violations of any policy contained herein may result in loss of access and other Library privileges, including debarment from Library premises. Unlawful activities will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner.