Purpose: To provide Internet access to all our patrons in a safe and comfortable environment.

Policy:

The Internet offers a wealth of information that is educational, factual, useful, and enriching to individuals of all ages. However, it is also an unregulated resource. Information and other content found on the Internet may not be accurate, objective or current, and may be considered offensive. MFRL upholds and strongly affirms the right of each individual to have access to constitutionally protected material. The Library will not restrict usage based on age. Restriction of a childs access to the Internet and supervision of his/her use is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Library patrons are prohibited from using Library computer equipment and communication services for sending, receiving, viewing or downloading illegal material via the Internet. Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library (MFRL) applies a content filtering system to all library computers to prevent access by any patron to pornography, obscenity, and materials deemed harmful to juveniles as defined in the Code of Virginia, 18.2-374.1:1; 18.2-372; and 18.2-390. However, users should be aware that no filter is 100% effective. Library staff members have been designated by the MFRL Board of Trustees to disable the filter at the request of any patron for bona fide research or other lawful purposes as proscribed in the Code of Virginia 42.1-36.

The Library shall take enforcement action against any patron observed violating the Librarys Acceptable Internet Use and Safety policy. Failure to comply with the policy may result in suspension or cancellation of Internet privileges, and may result in legal proceedings. The Library reserves the right to terminate any Internet session. The library will cooperate with legal authorities in the investigation of alleged crimes or civil wrongs in accordance with existing library policy.

All library locations provide free, high-speed wireless access to the Internet. Use of wireless service requires acceptance of and compliance with MFRLs Acceptable Internet Use and Safety Policy, although the Librarys content filtering system does not extend to patrons personal devices.

Users agree to hold harmless the Library for any liability or damage claim arising from any use or misuse of Internet access. MFRL is not responsible for damages that may occur to a users equipment or data due to conditions beyond the Librarys control such as power surges, computer viruses, etc.

Further examples of unacceptable uses of the Librarys computer and wireless resources include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Violation of federal,state or local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations.
• Harassment of other persons or parties.
• Violation of another persons or partys privacy.
• Unauthorized copying, downloading, or streaming of copyrighted or other protected material.
• Violation of computer security or violation of software license agreements.
• Tampering with library hardware, software, and workstation configuration, including circumvention of library security, safety and content filtering software.

Attachments:

References:

• Title 18 Chapter 110 and Chapter 71 sections 1465-8 of the United States Code
• Title 18.2-374.1:1 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended
• Title 18.2-372 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended
• Title 18.2-390 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended
• Title 42.1-36 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended
• ChildrensInternet Protection Act (CIPA) of 2000

Approval:

Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library Board of Trustees

June 20, 2001;
revised May 21, 2003;
June 16, 2004;
November 14, 2007;
March 16, 2011;
May 20, 2015;
January 15, 2020