As part of its mission to provide a broad range of information and educational resources, Medina Community Library (“the Library”) offers Internet access at the Library’s on-line public access computer (“OPAC”) workstations. Infrastructure and equipment were funded by a grant from the Texas Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund, with wireless Internet connectivity provided through the Medina Independent School District.

	DISCLAIMER  While access to the Internet can provide a wealth of valuable information, it is an unregulated medium that may contain material that is incomplete, inaccurate, illegal, and/or which some individuals may find objectionable or disturbing. The Library specifically disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, authoritativeness, timeliness, usefulness or fitness for a particular purpose of any information received through this medium. The Library shall not be liable for any direct or indirect loss, damages, or consequences sustained or incurred in connection with the operations and use of the Library’s computers. Each person using the Library’s equipment is responsible for complying with applicable copyright laws and licensing agreements pertaining to software, files, and/or other resources he/she obtains via the Internet, and the individual user, not the Library, shall be liable for any infringement.
	FILTERING Because of its connection through Medina ISD, the Library public-access computers are subject to the same site-based filter system that is installed at the school, a system designed to protect children from content inappropriate content. Users are advised, however, that no filter is foolproof. Content that a user may deem objectionable may inadvertently pass through, while access to legitimate sites may be restricted on occasion.
	NOTE TO PARENTS Supervising a child’s access to the Internet is the right and the responsibility of that child’s parent or guardian; supervising and monitoring Internet use is not a role of the Library. Even with site-specific filtering capability, the Library cannot prevent access to all materials that might be considered objectionable or harmful to minors. The Library recommends most strongly that parents monitor their children’s use of the Internet, and suggests that parents who are unfamiliar with the inherent risks involved read the brochure “Child Safety on the Information Highway,” copies of which are available at the Circulation Desk.

	OPAC PROCEDURES  All users of the Library’s OPAC workstations must first agree, in writing, to comply with the library’s  Acceptable Internet Use Policy, to use the library’s OPAC workstations only for appropriate (information/education) purposes, and to pay for printing and other authorized fees at the time these services are provided. Minors (under 18 years of age) also need the written permission of their parent or guardian.  Before each access session, users must register at the Circulation Desk before each access session. OPAC sessions are limited to 30 minutes, which may be extended if no one else is waiting. Advance reservations may be made by patrons needing to use the large-monitor wheelchair-accessible computer and the installed software specific to it. The Library’s other OPAC workstations are available only on a first-come first-served basis. By mutual consent, two persons may share one access session on an OPAC computer (if each has a signed copy on file agreeing to the Library’s Acceptable Internet Use Policy), as long as their behavior or conversation does not disturb others. The Library does not provide e-mail accounts or e-mail client software. Patrons may set up or access existing web-based accounts, but no files may be stored on the Library’s computers. Users may not download any file to the OPAC hard drive. Floppy (1.44MB) disks are available at the Circulation Desk for this use @$1. Data discs which users bring from outside must be scanned by circulation desk personnel before use in the library’s OPAC workstations. Black-and-white printing is available at .25 per letter-sized page.
	PROHIBITIONS Users are strictly and specifically prohibited from: accessing, transmitting; uploading, downloading, or distributing pornographic obscene, abusive, sexually explicit materials; slanderous, libelous, obscene, threatening, or harassing messages; using the Internet for unlawful or malicious activities; using objectionable language in either private or public messages; intentionally displaying material or images that others may find objectionable; intentionally violating the privacy of others; harassing other library or computer users or staff; obtaining unauthorized access to files, data or passwords of others; disrupting or monitoring electronic communications without authorization; violating computer system security,  violating  license agreements and/or copyright laws pertaining to software, files, and/or other resources obtained via the Library’s OPAC computers; damaging or attempting to alter computer equipment; installing, downloading, or modifying computer software; incurring any costs to the Library.
	SUSPENSION OF PRIVILEGES   Given cause to believe that a user has knowingly engaged in any prohibited activity listed above, Library staff is authorized to terminate that user’s access session, to suspend that user’s OPAC privileges for up to two weeks, or, in consultation with the Board President, to terminate that user’s privileges permanently.  Library staff may terminate the access session of any user, or suspend the OPAC privileges for up to two weeks, of any user who continues to violate other provisions of the Library’s Acceptable Use Policy and/or engages in disruptive or inappropriate behavior even after having been given verbal warning by the staff.