POLICIES AND DISCLOSURES
To fulfill its mission of providing public access to information of all types in a wide range of formats, The East Chicago Public Library provides access to Internet resources. The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national and international sources of information. However, some information found on the Internet may be inaccurate, incomplete, dated, or offensive to some individuals. A good information consumer must evaluate the validity and appropriateness of information found.
Choosing and Evaluating Sources
The Internet is a series of communication linkages leading to a highly diverse array of information content. Library patrons use it at their own risk. In choosing sources to link to from its home pages, the Library follows its materials selection guidelines. Beyond this, the Library is not responsible for the content of the Internet, changes in content of the sources to which the Library home pages link, or for the content of sources accessed through secondary links. In an effort to assist its users, the Library has created web sites for the general population, for teens and for children to help guide them to sources that are accurate, complete and current and that provide them with a wealth of information on the local, national and global level. In addition, the Library provides training for members of the public to assist them in using the Internet in a safe, effective and efficient manner. Finally, as set forth in greater detail below, in accordance with the Children's Internet Protection Act, the Library has implemented "technology protection measures" (i.e., software filtering) on all of its Internet-accessible computers.
As required by the Children's Internet Protection Act ("CIPA"), in order to remain eligible for certain federal funding, the Library has implemented software filtering on all of its Internet-accessible computer terminals. The software installed on Internet-accessible computers at the Library protects against access to visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and, in the case of persons under the age of 17 years, materials that are "harmful to minors." Users should be aware, however, that all currently available filtering software results in a degree of both "under blocking" (i.e., permitting access to certain material that falls within the foregoing categories) and "over blocking" (i.e., denying access to certain constitutionally protected material that does not fall within the foregoing categories). The Library has attempted to select filtering software that best complies with CIPA while providing Library users with the broadest possible access to constitutionally protected speech and information. The Library cannot and does not guarantee that the filtering software will block all obscenity, child pornography, or materials that are harmful to minors. Nor can the Library guarantee that the filtering software will not restrict access to sites that may have legitimate research or other value. In order to help address the over blocking problem and to enhance users' access to constitutionally protected speech and information, the Library requests that all users, both adults and minors, contact the Library at filtering@nypl.org (or at such other contact point as the Library shall designate from time to time) to request unblocking of an incorrectly blocked site. In addition, any user who is 17 years of age or older may disable the filtering software in order to obtain unfiltered Internet access for bona fide research or other lawful purpose by following the instructions provided on the computer screen or such instructions as the Library shall otherwise provide from time to time.
Parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for deciding which library resources are appropriate for their own children. Parents or legal guardians should guide their children in use of the Internet and inform them about materials they should not use. While the Library affirms and acknowledges the rights and responsibilities of parents and guardians to monitor and determine their children's access to Library materials and resources, including those available through the Internet, the Library has taken certain measures designed to assist in the safe and effective use of these resources by all minors.
To address the issue of access by minors to inappropriate material on the Internet, including material that is harmful to minors, the Library:
Develops and maintains special web sites for children and teens;
Develops and provides training programs on safe and effective Internet use;
Encourages staff to guide minors away from materials that may be inappropriate;
Distributes a publication entitled "A Safety Net for the Internet: A Parent's Guide"; and
Has implemented filtering software as more fully described above.
To address the issue of the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications, as well as the unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors, the Library provides training programs and also urges minors to keep in mind the following safety guidelines:
Never give out identifying information such as home address, school name, or telephone number.
Let parents or guardians decide whether personal information such as age, marital status, or financial information should be revealed.
Never arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone via the computer without parents' or guardians' approval.
Never respond to messages that are suggestive, obscene, threatening, or make one uncomfortable.
Have parents or guardians report an incident to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 if one becomes aware of the transmission of child pornography.
Remember that people online may not be who they say they are.
Remember that everything one reads may not be true.
To address the issue of unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and other unlawful activities by minors online, minors and all other Library users are hereby advised that use of the Library's computers for hacking or any other unlawful activity is strictly prohibited.
Due to the limited resources available for provision of public access to the Internet, the Library may set limits, for example, on use of large files of still or moving images or sound, or on downloading files in any medium. The Library also reserves the right to limit the amount of time an individual user can devote to a single session. The public must comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, including laws governing the transmission and dissemination of information while accessing the Internet, and with all Library policies and procedures.
Users may not:
Use the network to make unauthorized entry into other computational, informational or communication services or resources.
Distribute unsolicited advertising.
Invade the privacy of others.
Make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software.
Engage in any activity that is harassing or defamatory.
Use the Internet for any illegal activity, including violation of copyright or other rights of third parties, or in a manner inconsistent with the Library's tax-exempt status or its proper operation.
Violations may result in loss of access. Unlawful activities will be dealt with in an appropriate manner.
Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users' activities. However, The East Chicago Public Library will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the public except as required by law or necessary for the proper operation of the Library.
The Library reserves the right to take appropriate action to insure compliance with this policy.
Guidelines on Access to Information
The East Chicago Public Library is guided by the following American Library Association statements on access to information:
The Library Bill of Rights
Freedom to Read Statement
Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights: Free Access to Libraries for Minors and Access to Electronic Information Services and Resources
In general, the Library is guided by a commitment to access to information policies that provide appropriate protections to its patrons while being consistent with the Library's longstanding commitment to the principles of free expression as set forth in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
The Library's "Policy on Public Use of the Internet" may be revised from time to time.
The Library is committed to protecting the privacy of our users, customers, members, donors, and friends. We believe that maintaining our patrons' privacy is important, and we have created this Privacy Policy so that our patrons can learn what the Library does with information it may obtain about its patrons. By using the Library's services, including its web site, and by communicating with the Library, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy.
Type of Information Collected
In general, the Library does not collect personally identifiable information about individuals—such as names and postal or e-mail addresses—except when such information is voluntarily provided by the patron. Personally identifiable information is obtained from online transactions such as purchases, registrations, or contributions. Additionally, personally identifiable information may be obtained in connection with other activities, services, or resources made available on our web site, in person at one of our facilities, or (as set forth in the following sentence) through e-mails sent by us to our patrons.
Like many web sites, the Library's web site also automatically logs certain aggregate information about visits to our web site. This information is used for system administration and for producing usage statistics.
Use of Your Information
Unless the Library explicitly states otherwise and except as set forth in this Privacy Policy, any personally identifiable information provided to the Library is maintained by and accessible only to the Library. Except as set forth herein (or as required by law or as necessary for the proper operation of the Library), we will not release personally identifiable information about our patrons, including their use of Library materials and resources (whether electronic or in print, including, but not limited to, circulation records and specific internet or web site resources).
The Library compiles aggregate demographic data related to our patrons to better manage our services and to provide aggregate information to potential funders of the Library's programs. The Library may also use personally identifiable information you submit to inform you of Library programs, services, and activities, including exhibitions, events, programs, and membership opportunities. The Library does not share or exchange email addresses with other organizations. The Library does not rent or sell its donor mailing list but may sometimes exchange names and addresses with other organizations. You may indicate to the Library at any time whether or not you wish to have the Library share your name with other organizations.
Third-Party Partners
The Library has teamed up with reputable third-party partners in order to provide certain services to its patrons. The information you submit to the Library may be provided to those third parties on a confidential basis so that they can assist us in providing certain services, including English Classes for Speakers of Other Languages and activities that require us to maintain databases and/or process credit card transactions and donations. In cases where patrons leave the Library's web site to visit one of its partners' web sites, patrons are encouraged to become familiar with the privacy policies of the web sites they visit.
Security
The Library has reasonable physical, electronic, and managerial measures in place to prevent unauthorized access to the information we collect. We do not, however, claim any responsibility for information collected by or from web sites linking to or from the Library's web site.
Cookies
A cookie is a small text file that is sent to your browser from a web site and stored on your computer's hard drive. Cookies cannot read data from your hard disk or read cookie files that were created by other web sites—the web site that creates a cookie is the only one that a browser will permit to access it. Examples of ways in which the Library might use cookies would be to customize content areas or to analyze site activity.
If you are concerned about the use of cookies, the Library suggests that you explore your browser's options to notify you whenever a cookie is set, or to disallow cookies altogether. Patrons should be aware, however, that prohibiting the use of cookies may restrict the patron's access to certain types of content or features.
Children
Parents should remind their children to ask their permission before providing personal information to any web site or purchasing any products or services online. The Library urges all parents to participate in their children's exploration of the internet and to teach them about protecting their personal information while online. For further information, see A Safety Net for the Internet: A Parent's Guide.
Policy Changes
This Privacy Policy may be revised to reflect changes in the Library's policies and practices or to reflect new services and content provided by the Library. Patrons are encouraged to check this document periodically to stay informed of the Library's current privacy guidelines.
About This Site
The East Chicago Public Library seeks to make its resources available and useful to the public. Through this Web site, the Library offers public access to a broad range of information, including historical materials that may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. You should view such materials in the historical context in which they were created. All historical media are presented as specific, original artifacts, without further enhancement to their appearance or quality, as a record of the era in which they were produced.
The Library has a "Privacy Policy." By using the Library's Web site, you signify your acceptance of this Privacy Policy. Please review The East Chicago Public Library Privacy Policy at this time.
The Library also has a "Policy on Public Use of the Internet." Please review this Policy at this time.
In choosing sources to link to its Web site, the Library follows its materials selection guidelines. Beyond this, the Library does not monitor or control information accessible through the Internet. The Library is not responsible for the content or changes in content of the sources to which the Library pages link, or for the content or changes in content of sources accessed through secondary links.
Applicable Law
Any legal action brought against the Library shall be governed by the laws of the State of East Chicago without regard to its conflicts-of-law rules. Any claim asserted against the Library shall be heard and determined in the federal or state courts located in East Chicago City. Users of this Web site agree not to commence any litigation relating to the use of this Web site, except in courts located in East Chicago City. Users of this Web site also waive any objections to venue of any such litigation in courts located in East Chicago City and agree not to plead or claim that East Chicago City is an inconvenient forum.
WHILE THE LIBRARY MAKES EVERY EFFORT TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION IN THIS WEBSITE, THE LIBRARY SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION AND MATERIALS PROVIDED IN THIS WEBSITE, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS. THE LIBRARY, ITS TRUSTEES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVES SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, COMPENSATORY, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE USE OF THIS WEBSITE OR THE INFORMATION AND MATERIALS PROVIDED THROUGH THIS WEBSITE.
