DFL Internet Access Policy

Welcome
The Darby Free Library is pleased to provide you with access to the Internet. Darby Free Library provides this access in support of its Mission.

The Darby Free Library enhances the quality of life in Darby by providing access to information for cultural, economic, educational and recreational development.

What We Provide
The Internet contains a wealth of information that can be personally, professionally and culturally enriching  Because the Internet is an unregulated network of resources, it also enables access to information, opinions, and images that may be inaccurate, controversial or offensive. For this reason, and because sites on the Internet change often, rapidly and unpredictably, Darby Free Library is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or quality of any Internet resources found.

All clients, including children, are free to use all resources and facilities in the Darby Free Library.  Parents or guardians are responsible for their children's use of the Internet.  Staff can provide information to assist children and their parents in using the Internet in a safe and effective manner.  Please ask us for information on "safe surfing".

Library staff can help you find answers to questions, but cannot provide in-depth or personal instruction on using the Internet.  You are encouraged to consult books, magazines, videos and other Library resources that provide information on the Internet, in order to supplement the assistance that staff can provide.  The Library may provide training sessions on the use of the Internet, as Library resources permit.

Darby Free Library does not provide electronic mail accounts, although you may access e-mail on Library workstations using accounts provided through other service providers.  The Library does not provide downloading capabilities.

Your Responsibilities
The Darby Free Library requires that you use our Internet workstations in a responsible manner, respecting the rights of others, not invading the privacy of others, and not engaging in any activity that is harassing or defamatory.  The Library is a public space that is shared by people of all ages and backgrounds.  We strive to balance the rights of individuals to access a wide range of information resources with the right of staff and users to work in a public environment free from harassment.  The Library may terminate an Internet session if sites are accessed which are inappropriate for viewing in a public setting. 

The Library specifically prohibits the use of its workstations for illegal, unethical or criminal purposes, or any purpose which may make the Library Board or any person liable for any civil or criminal charge.  Civil law forbids the harassment or libeling or slandering of others. Criminal law forbids the display or dissemination of hate literature, child pornography, illicit drug literature, or obscene material. Any material tending to deprive any person of his or her rights or to expose any person to hatred or affronts to human dignity cannot be displayed or disseminated. The Library Bylaws, Human Rights Legislation , and the Criminal Code are available in the Library for consultation.

In using a Library Internet workstation, you are responsible for:

• any commercial transactions made through use of the Internet access workstation.
• any direct or indirect damages that you suffer from your use of Internet services.
• any damage you cause to the Library's computer equipment.
• any losses or damages sustained by Darby Free Library as a result of your use of Internet access
• any infringement of copyright or software licenses that could result from the copying or distribution of materials found on the Internet.

In using a Library Internet workstation, you agree to follow the Darby Free Library Internet Access Procedures.

Darby Free Library reserves the right to control the use of its computers and Internet access, to monitor use, and to review patterns of use of the Darby Free Library Internet access workstations in order to assess conformity with the standards described in this policy. Subject to investigation your library privileges can be suspended if you misuse the computer or the Internet access.