The Westfield Memorial Library strives to be the gateway to the global network of recorded thought and information. We are committed to providing superior services to all segments of our community, as well as employing state-of-the-art technology to improve access to resources worldwide. As part of our mission to meet the recreational, informational and educational needs of our public, the Library makes available free access to the Internet.
The Library endorses the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights. The library provides access to Internet resources equally to all library users and upholds and affirms the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected material. However, users need to be aware that obscenity and child pornography are not constitutionally protected.
The Library does not endorse the viewpoints or vouch for the accuracy, authenticity or timeliness of information accessed via the Internet. It is left to each user to determine what information is appropriate.
The Library’s goal is to provide a safe environment for children while upholding applicable laws. The Library provides two computers in the Youth Services Department with filtering software. Parents are reminded that no filtering software is totally accurate, nor is it a substitute for parental judgment and oversight. It may diminish the likelihood that searchers will inadvertently retrieve text or images that they deem objectionable, but does not completely eliminate that possibility. Filters may also block access to sites that users would consider both inoffensive and useful, including educational sites.
The Westfield Memorial Library affirms the right and responsibility of parents and legal guardians to monitor their minor children’s use of all library materials and resources, including Internet access. A parent or legal guardian, not the library or its staff, is responsible for supervising/restricting a child’s use of the Internet and for the information selected and/or accessed by that child.
Users have the right of confidentiality in all their activities with resources and services provided by the Library. The Library supports the user’s right to privacy; however, users are advised that because security is technically difficult to achieve, electronic communications and files could become public.
Internet users will:
- Recognize that the Internet, like all of the Library’s information sources, must be shared and used in a manner that respects the rights of others and refrain from activity that prevents others from using it.
- Use the Library’s Internet resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes only.
- Respect intellectual property rights by making only authorized copies of copyrighted, licensed or otherwise-controlled software or data residing on the Internet.
- Respect the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files or passwords belonging to others; and by not seeking disallowed access to any computer system via the Internet.
Internet users are prohibited from:
- Engaging in any activity that is deliberately offensive or creates an intimidating environment for library staff and customers.
- Displaying, sending, receiving or printing text, images or graphics that violate laws relating to child pornography.
- Damaging or altering the setup of the equipment used to access the Internet at the Library
- Damaging or altering software or data residing on the Internet.
- Transmitting threatening, harassing or abusive language and images.
Deliberately propagating computer worms and viruses.
Professional librarians on staff are authorized to terminate the Internet session of any customer who fails to comply with this policy; to take further action in accordance with the Patron Code of Conduct; and to report illegal activity of which they become aware to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.
Adopted by the Library’s Board of Trustees March 26, 2015
