Home About the Library Using the Library & Policies Policy On Internet & Computer Use

Policy On Internet & Computer Use

Computer Use

“Computer use” shall include using library computers for any purpose, including without limitation, word processing purposes, or for Internet and electronic mail use. Use of Library computers is subject to the Library’s Policy on Patron Guidelines.

  1. Patrons must have an unexpired library card to use the public computers managed by the Library’s reservation software.
  2. Persons using the computers and accompanied by children six and under may not leave the children unattended.
  3. The Library employs reservation software to maximize the number of patrons who are able to access the Library’s public computers. The Library reserves the right to limit the amount of time an individual user can devote to a single computer session. The last computer session of the day ends 10 minutes before the Library closes. Patrons must not attempt to disable or circumvent the Library’s reservation software.
  4. Headphones are permitted, but volume must be kept low to not disturb others.
  5. Only two persons may share a single workstation. Staff, in their discretion, may approve or disapprove requests for study group accommodations.
  6. Workstations equipped with adaptive software and hardware such as ZoomText, JAWS and Braille printers may be used only by patrons in need of adaptive technology.
  7. Patrons may not use library computers for any activity that is patently offensive, intrusive, disruptive, harassing, or creates an intimidating or hostile environment to staff and/or to other patrons.
  8. There is a charge for printing from the Library’s computers. Printing costs are listed in the Fines and Fees Schedule. Printing must be completed and collected before the Library closes.
  9. Staff are unable to recover data once a computer session ends. To save a document, the patron must copy it to his/her personal media or online data storage during the computer session. The Library is not responsible for time or data lost due to computer failure or failure to save data during a computer session.
  10. The Library is not responsible for any loss or liability that may occur as a result of the disclosure of financial or other personal information over the Library’s public computer services, including Internet and electronic mail use. Users should be aware that use of public computers is not a private or secure medium, and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding user’s activities. Users should also be aware that Library staff may monitor use of the computers for the limited purpose of ensuring compliance with this Policy, and hereby consent to such monitoring.
  11. Patrons may not utilize the Library’s computers in violation of any local, state, or federal ordinances, regulations, or laws, including copyright laws. Users are prohibited from disclosing confidential information, harming CLEVNET networks or other networks on the internet or other user accounts, invasions of privacy, engaging in spamming, unsolicited advertising, network reconnaissance, or denial of service attacks. Users engaged in illegal activities involving library computers may be subject to prosecution.
  12. Users may be liable for alterations or damage they cause to library hardware or software, including knowingly uploading or installing worms, viruses, or Trojan horses, or transmitting viruses that affect other users’ accounts or the Library’s systems. Patrons should report any computer problems to Library staff and must not attempt maintenance on Library computers, including unplugging, disconnecting, powering on, powering off, and/or detaching and PC hardware or components.
  13. Users must not make any attempt to access or modify passwords or data belonging to others, or seek unauthorized access to the Library’s or any other computer system. Users are prohibited from using remote administration tools or root kits, for purposes other than to access a user’s own personal computer.
  14. Whether or not they are in use, the Library reserves the right to designate computers for the exclusive use of children aged 17 and under and their accompanying caregivers.
  15. By using a library computer, the user agrees to conform to all regulations contained in this Policy. All users of library computers agree to indemnify and hold the Library harmless for any claims, losses, damages, obligations, or liabilities arising out of the use of the Library’s computers. The Library reserves the right to terminate a computer session and/or suspend library privileges of anyone who violates the Library’s computer use policies without notice.

Internet Safety and Acceptable Use

  1. In keeping with the Cleveland Public Library’s objective to make accessible the broadest range of information in a variety of formats, the Library provides public access to the Internet. The Internet enables the Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collection. However, the Library cannot control and is not responsible for the content of information obtained through the Internet, and does not warrant that information accessed through the Internet is accurate, reliable, legal or complete.
  2. In accordance with Chapter 2907 of the Ohio Revised Code, patrons may not send, receive, print, disseminate, or display text or graphics which may be construed as obscene or “harmful to juveniles”.
  3. In accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the Library has adopted a policy of internet safety that includes the use of content filtering software on all public access computers. This software protects against access to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors.
  4. Filtering software may fail to block some visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography or harmful to children. In addition, all technology protection measures will block some materials that are appropriate for use within the Library and beyond the scope of filtering intended by CIPA and this policy. In recognizing this deficiency, adult patrons 18 years of age and older may elect to bypass the filter by entering their library card number. With the filter disabled, the adult patron may assess the appropriateness of the blocked material.
  5. The Library cannot guarantee that sexually explicit material will not get past the filter or that there will not be other sites to which another patron or a parent might object. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are encouraged to work with their children to develop acceptable rules of internet use. It is their responsibility to set family standards and guidelines and to decide which library resources and internet websites are appropriate for their children.
  6. The Library has received funding from the federal Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) to purchase hotspots and internet service. Any ECF supported equipment and services can only be provided to patrons who declare that they do not have access to the equipment or services sufficient to access the internet.

Approved by the Board of Trustees, December 16, 2021
Effective December 17, 2021