The London Public Library Mission, in part, is to offer access to diverse materials, programs and technologies to respond to the lifelong information, education, culture and leisure needs of the London community. It is within this context that the London Public Library provides connectivity to the Internet. As with other library resources, it is the patron or the parent or legal guardian of minor children who assumes responsibility for supervising access to Internet resources in the library. The library never presumes to act in loco parentis.

It is to be understood by users of library computers and the Internet that most of the information available is not generated by the London Public Library. The library provides access to reference databases of general and special periodical materials, readers’ advisory services, homework centers to assist students with research assignments, and legislative, historical, and archival materials and information.

Information available through the Internet is not warranted by the London Public Library to be accurate, authoritative, factual, or complete. The availability of networked information via the London Public Library does not constitute any endorsement or ratification of that information. The London Public Library is not responsible for the content of networked information available. The use of the Internet to engage in any activity which constitutes violation of local, state, and/or federal laws is strictly prohibited.

All users of this service agree to hold the London Public Library harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations or liabilities, directly or indirectly relating to the use of the Internet, caused thereby or arising therefrom. In no event shall the London Public Library have any liability for lost profits or for indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages or any liability to any third party, even if the London Public Library is advised of the possibility of such damages.

By using the London Public Library’s computer, you as a patron agree to the following:

• The Library’s computers access the Internet which is an unmonitored environment with a highly diverse user population and Library patrons use it at their own risk. As with other library materials, it is the patron or the parent or legal guardian of the minor children who assumes responsibility for supervising access to Internet resources in the library.
• The OPLIN computers are normally available, subject to periodic maintenance, during library hours.
• Use of OPLIN computers is on a first come-first serve basis. Use is limited to 30 minutes if others are waiting to use a computer. If someone is waiting you are expected to make the computer available within 5 minutes of being informed by Library staff that another person is waiting.
• The library computers will be used for educational, informational and recreational purposes only, not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes. You may not send, received or display text or graphics which may reasonably be construed as sexually explicit, or which contain bigoted or inflammatory opinions, or which glorify drug use.
• You are prohibited from using the library’s computers to send, receive or display any text or graphics of a nature which the courts have judged criminal or which violate commonly accepted standards of decency in the London community.
• Standard Internet etiquette is to be observed. You are expected to respect the privacy of others by not misrepresenting yourself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords or data belonging to others; by not seeking unauthorized access to any computer system, or damaging or altering software components of any network or database. The library will assist in investigations of individuals who hack at any computer via the library’s network.
• You may not send or receive email (electronic mail) using the OPLIN server.
• You may not use your own software programs on the library’s computers. This policy will help prevent computer viruses that are common the public computers.
• To guard further against computer viruses, saving information from one medium to another from Library computers is discouraged. You will need to ask the library staff to borrow a temporary Library issued USB drive if you wish to save files. You may not use any personal USB drives. Only Library issued USB drives can be used to download information. All USB drives must promptly be returned to the front desk upon the completion of any such activity.
• Software downloaded from the internet may contain a virus and you should have virus checking software on your computer or mobile device. The London Public Library is not responsible for damage to a patron’s computer or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from patron use of the library’s computers.
• Patrons are responsible for maintaining their own privacy on web sites they visit. Basic privacy precautions include logging out of email and social networking accounts and closing the browser at the conclusion of the session.
• The library provides wireless Internet access. As with most wireless networks, any information being sent or received over a wireless network could potentially be intercepted by another wireless user. Patrons should use caution when transmitting information via any public wireless network. Users should have no expectation of privacy when using the public wireless network.
• Users must use headphones to listen to audio content at the workstations.
• Library staff will be glad to assist you in accessing the Internet. Staff cannot provide individual in-depth technical instruction but may be able to suggest search strategies and answer questions.

Patrons violating these guidelines will be asked once to stop. If the violation continues the patron will forfeit the privilege of using the computers.

Any issues not covered here fall under general library operations.

Adopted: October 21, 1996
Revised: April 22, 1997
August 21, 2023
London Public Library
Board of Trustees