Internet Policy

The Otterbein Public Library provides public access to the internet to serve the Otterbein community. Public internet is available free to everyone, without discrimination. Currently, the Library does not provide filters for internet use. However, in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), internet use must be limited to adults ages 17 and older. Children younger than 17 years of age may only use the internet with the consent of their parent or guardian. Parents consent must be tracked using Evergreen. This limitation is to provide a safe and educational environment for children. While the Library staff monitors the computer stations for inappropriate behavior, they do not limit what information the child has access to via the internet. The Library holds this responsibility to the parent or guardian of a child. Because of the need to monitor the age of those using the internet, all patrons must sign-in at the Service Desk before using the internet. A staff member will check the Library card of those using the computer for an age. No child may use the computer without a staff member checking their card for the appropriate permission.

No one under the age of 13 may register for an email account, social networking, message board, or other website that requires personal information to be given out. This is in accordance with the policies of those websites and the requirement of the Federal government and CIPA.

No one under the age of 18 may engage in sexually explicit behavior or text when using the internet. Minors found to have used Library equipment for this purpose may be barred from using public internet services in the future.

Public internet provided by the Library will not be used for any purpose that is not in agreement with the mission, goals, or policies of the Otterbein Public Library. However, the internet is a global entity which contains information that is unregulated making it impossible for the Library to prevent all instances where a person may find inappropriate, inaccurate, defamatory, illegal, or objectionable content. Therefore, the Otterbein Public Library takes no responsibility for the information held on the internet accessed publicly from their building, nor does it take responsibility for the loss, damage, or injury of any personal information or property by using the Library’s public computers and internet. Appropriate us of the Library’s internet services will be determined and monitored by the Library staff.

[Adopted 12/2012]

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