Introduction:
Meeting the informational needs of the diverse population of Pike County is integral to the mission of the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library. The Library endeavors to develop collections, resources, and services to meet these needs. It is within this context that the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library provides access to the Internet through the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN).
Disclaimer:
Users of OPLIN and the Internet must understand that neither OPLIN nor the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library generates most of the information available on OPLIN and the Internet. Through OPLIN, the Library provides access to reference databases of general and special interest, periodicals, reader's advisory services, homework centers to assist students with research assignments, legislative, historical, and archival materials, and a broad range of information on many subjects. Neither the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library nor OPLIN guarantees that the information found on the Internet is accurate, factual, or complete. Patrons are responsible for determining whether the information accessed is acceptable, reliable, and suitable to their needs. The availability of networked information via the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library does not constitute any endorsement or ratification of that information. The Garnet A. Wilson Public Library and OPLIN are not responsible for the content of networked information available.
The use of OPLIN and the Internet to engage in any activity that constitutes violation of local, state, and/or federal laws is strictly prohibited. Additionally, any use that violates the policies of the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library is strictly prohibited. Misuse or abuse of Library computers or Internet access may result in suspension of Internet access privileges including a one-week suspension for the first violation and permanent suspension for a second violation.
All users of this service agree to hold the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library and OPLIN harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations, or liabilities, directly or indirectly related to the use of OPLIN and the Internet, cause thereby or arising from there. In no event shall the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library or OPLIN have any liability for lost profits or for indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages or any liability to any third party, even if the Garnet A. Wilson Public Library or OPLIN is advised of the possibility of such damages.
Guidelines for Use:
The Internet is a global entity with a highly diverse user population and patrons who use Library computers to access it do so at their own risk. As with other Library materials, it is the patron, or the parent or legal guardian of minor children, who assumes the responsibility for supervising access to Internet resources in the Library.
The library affirms the right and responsibility of parents to determine and monitor their children's use of library materials and resources. To comply with Ohio law regarding materials “harmful to juveniles”, the library offers both filtered and unfiltered OPLIN/Internet stations. Patrons should be aware, however, that while filtering does block some objectionable sites, no software can completely filter access to text and images that might be offensive.
For minors age 12 and under a parent or legal guardian must be present when the child uses the OPLIN/Internet terminal. For youth age 13-17, the parent or legal guardian must present themselves to the reference desk and sign a form authorizing their child to use the OPLIN/Internet terminal unsupervised and/or use the unfiltered workstation.
It is not possible for Library staff to monitor or control specific information patrons, including children and youth, may locate on the Internet. Parents and guardians are responsible for their children's use of the Internet, and the Library encourages parents to work with their children to develop acceptable guidelines and rules for using the Internet. Filtering is available upon request of adults and/or for minors under age 18. Parents and children are encouraged to read Child Safety on the Information Highway, jointly produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Interactive Services Association. This publication is available at the Reference Desk.
Children and young adults without parental permission to use the Internet may only use Library Computers with Internet access disabled.
All patrons who access the Internet on a Library computer must first read the Library's Patron Access to the Internet Policy and accept its provisions.
Internet access is available only during normal Library hours, subject to periodic maintenance.
Access to the Public Computers is limited to one-hour sessions. Access to Terminals in the Children’s area is limited to thirty-minute sessions. A daily maximum of three hours usage may be imposed if others are waiting to use the Public Computers.
Computers in the Youth Services Department are reserved for the use of children or parents who are assisting their children.
All patrons who access the Internet must present a Garnet A. Wilson Public Library borrower's card or picture ID with age verification.
No more than two people may be at a Library Computer at any time. Only the person who is signed up may access the keyboard, mouse and headphones. Any behavior that disturbs other patrons is prohibited.
Pages printed from Library Computers are $.10 for black and $.50 for color.
Patrons may not misrepresent themselves as another user; may not attempt to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; may not seek unauthorized access to any computer system, or damage or alter software components of any network or database.
The Library's computers may be used for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only; not for unauthorized, illegal, or unethical purposes.
Patrons may not send, receive, or display text and/or graphics that may reasonably be construed as obscene by community standards.
Software may not be installed on Library Computers. Flash drives and external drives may be used in designated Library computers equipped with the appropriate disk drives. Files may be downloaded or saved to flash drives or external drives only.
Internet sites may not always be available. Reasons for this may include too many visitors using the host computer, the database or resource is limited to a particular institution, the host computer has a different address or has closed down, or the Library's OPLIN connection is temporarily unavailable due to technical difficulties.
Library Staff Assistance:
As time allows, Library staff will be happy to help patrons access information using OPLIN, the Internet, e-mail programs such as Hotmail or chat rooms.
[res. 14-97, 4/14/1997; res. 25-01, 4/9/01; res. 13-02, 3/11/02; res 8-12, 1/9/2012] [Updated 2/10/2020]