The New Hartford Public Library offers access to electronic resources, including the Internet, as part of its mission to provide services and materials in a variety of formats to meet the information, educational and recreational needs of the community.
The New Hartford Public Library's access to the Internet, including the World Wide Web, is provided by the Mid-York Library System. This system does not provide electronic mail accounts, file transfer protocol, Internet relay chat, or news groups. The information and resources available on the Internet expands the Library's information services beyond traditional collections and electronic resources. Not all Internet sources provide accurate, complete, or current information and some may be offensive. The New Hartford Public Library has no control over the information accessed over the Internet and is not responsible for its contents.
Users of electronic resources are expected to use these resources in a responsible and ethical manner consistent with the standards and rules of the Library and of the community. Patrons may not use terminals for any illegal or criminal purposes, including but not limited to, violations of computer systems security, unauthorized use of computer accounts or access codes, obstruction or disruption of other people's work, violation of copyright or software licensing restrictions, nor to install or download software in violation of another user's privacy; or in any other manner that is disruptive to other library patrons.
It is the Library's policy that supervision or restriction of a child's access to the Internet, as with other library resources. is the responsibility of the parent, legal guardian or caregiver. Parents and children are encouraged to read Child Safety on the Information Highway by Lawrence J. Magid, jointly produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Interactive Services Association. This publication is available on-line, or a copy may be obtained at the circulation desk.
Library staff members are available to help users of the Internet. However, is is not possible for staff members to have complete knowledge of Internet content and they may not be familiar with a user's request.
The Library reserves the right to enforce a time allowance of 30 minutes (including any necessary printing) per session. Staff members reserve the right to prohibit material that in their judgment is inappropriate for viewing in this public area.
All policies of the New Hartford Public Library are available at the circulation desk for public review. They may be revised, at any time, by resolution of the Board of Trustees.
Approved by the Board of Trustees of the New Hartford Public Library, January 21, 1998.