The mission of the Ritter Public Library is: “Ritter Public Library is a community center for the Vermilion area providing free space, information and entertainment.”
Use of the Internet is part of the library’s mission to deliver these materials and services to the public. All Internet and wireless Internet resources accessible through the library are provided equally to all library customers. The library may establish time limits, queues or other forms of network management in order to provide quality service and to ensure the limited number of access points that will be available to as many customers as possible.
The Internet is a worldwide, unregulated electronic medium; neither library staff nor trustees can control or be held responsible for the content and accuracy of information accessed, including electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, peer-to-peer or social networks, or future forms of electronic communication. Users may be subjected to materials that are unreliable, personally offensive or illegal under Unites States law, and each individual user must take responsibility for his or her own activities on the Internet and for the activities of his or her children.
Individuals who violate this policy or its corresponding procedure will be denied access to the Internet. Reinstatement of use is at the discretion of the director and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility
Library cardholders from Ritter Public Library or a Clevnet member library are eligible to access the library’s public workstations. A minor child’s card may not be used by an adult parent or guardian to access the Internet. Any Ohio resident may apply for a library card free of charge. Out-of-state visitors must obtain a temporary guest pass from the customer service desk. Minors under the age of 18 must have the form signed by a parent or guardian in the presence of library staff.
Safety and Security of Minors
As with other library materials, parents of minor children must assume responsibility for their children’s usage of the library’s workstations and the Internet. Parents and legal guardians should educate minors to follow basic Internet safety guidelines:
- Never give out personal information such as name or address.
- Never arrange to meet someone face-to-face via electronic networks.
- Never respond to threatening or suggestive messages.
- Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.
- To prevent loss of data, always store needed information on removable devices.
- Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at your own risk.
Children eight years old and younger must have an adult seated with them while using library workstations. The parent or guardian will also be notified when any minor loses his or her privileges.
Staff Assistance
Library staff is happy to assist users in accessing the Internet; each user is nevertheless responsible for his or her own session. Staff cannot provide in-depth personal training in the use of the Internet or of personal computers. Library staff will attempt to assist with technical issues stemming from the library’s computers or network, but cannot be held responsible for problems with outside sites or services.
Printing
Users may print information from the library’s workstations and the Internet. Black-and-white copies are $0.20, and color copies are $0.25 per page and may be picked up at the customer service desk.
Acceptable Usage
The Internet may not be used for any purposes which conflict with the mission of the library or for illegal, unethical or inappropriate purposes. This responsibility also applies to the users of equipment connecting to the library’s wireless Internet. These responsibilities include:
- Respecting the privacy, security and sensibilities of other users.
- Respecting the legal protection provided by copyright and license to programs and data.
- Respecting the integrity of the library’s computer systems and network.
- Please protect your personal data and privacy. Users should download and save files to their own removable storage devices, or may purchase one from the library for a nominal fee.
Unacceptable uses include:
- Damaging, destroying or deleting equipment, software or data belonging to the library. This includes attempts to bypass network security functions, obtain passwords or alter the configuration of library computers in any way.
- Unauthorized copying of copyrighted or licensed material.
- Harassing others.
- Using the Internet for any illegal activity.
- Wasting finite resources (including printing without paying).
- Using library computers to store personal files and data.
Warnings and Restrictions
Staff reserves the right to monitor any Internet activity for improper use. It is strictly prohibited to use the Internet for illegal or criminal purposes. Any unauthorized access will result in immediate suspension of Internet access. Users agree to comply with federal, state and local laws including those related to obscenity, pornography and delivery to minors material deemed harmful to them. Users understand that Internet sites may contain both written and pictorial information offensive to themselves and others.