The Carroll County District Library provides Internet access for the same reasons it offers other library resources: to facilitate research, learning, and recreational pursuits by furnishing materials of requisite and appropriate quality.

Filtering software is installed to block access to material that might be deemed objectionable. Given the nature of how information and sites become accessible through the Internet, we cannot and do not guarantee that the filtering software will block all sexually explicit material or any other material that some patrons may find objectionable.

It is the policy of the Carroll County District Library that parents or legal guardians of minor children are ultimately responsible for the child’s use of the Internet at the Library. Furthermore, the staff cannot be held responsible for supervising minors while they are using the Internet. Local determination of material to be filtered as deemed harmful to minors shall be made by the Library Board of Trustee and staff.

To address issues of safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of electronic communication, parents and legal guardians should urge minors to follow basic safety guidelines: never give out personal information (name, address, phone number etc.), never arrange via a computer to meet someone and never respond to messages that are threatening or suggestive, remembering that people online may not be who they say they are.

While accessing the Internet at the Library, users must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws. Users may not attempt in any way to alter, damage, or sabotage computer hardware or software (practices known as hacking) and will be financially responsible for any malicious damage to hardware or software. The Library is not liable for any damage to a customer’s disk or computer that may occur from use of the Internet at the Library; nor is the Library responsible for any liability that may occur as a result of the disclosure of financial or other personal information while accessing the Internet at the Library.

As a user of the OPLIN/ Carroll County District Library computers, I understand and agree to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and will communicate over the network in a responsible fashion while honoring all guidelines.