The Millburn Free Public Library is making internet access available to the public, as an informational and educational resource, in support of its stated mission "to provide the citizens of Millburn Township with free and equal access to information in print, non-print, and electronic formats."

 

Consistent with the Library's mission, this policy affirms the safeguarding of First Amendment Rights, intellectual freedom, equity of access, confidentiality of information about users and their use of Library Resources. The Library affirms the following principles and user's rights as set forth in the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights in Cyberspace:

 

• Electronic information, services, and networks provided by libraries should be readily, equally, and equitably accessible to all library users.
  
  
• Libraries and librarians should not deny or limit access to information via electronic resources because of its controversial content or because of personal beliefs or fear of confrontation.
  
  
• Information retrieved or utilized electronically should be considered constitutionally protected unless determined otherwise by a court with appropriate jurisdiction.
  
  
• Responsibility for, and any restriction of, a child's use of the Internet rests solely with his or her parents or legal guardians. For an in-depth guideline to children's use of the internet, visit the Parent's Guide to the Internet website, from the U.S. Department of Education..
  

 

The Internet is a global network that provides dynamic resources and facilitates communication. Library staff cannot control access points that often change rapidly and unpredictably. Users are hereby notified, they are responsible for the choice of sites they visit.

 

The Millburn Free Public Library makes no warranty, expressed or implied, for the timeliness, accuracy, or usefulness for a particular purpose of information accessed via the Internet.

 

Since the computer workstations in the Library, on which the public can access the Internet, are located in public areas which must be shared by users of all ages, backgrounds, and sensibilities, individuals are asked to consider this when accessing potentially controversial information and images. Library staff cannot consistently and effectively monitor the public. All users of the Internet are expected to use this Library resource in a responsible and courteous manner, consistent with the purposes for which it is provided, and to follow all Internet-related rules, regulations, and procedures established for its use including, but not limited to, those of the Library. Responsible, courteous use of the Internet includes:

 

• Recognizing that the Internet, like all of the Library's information sources, must be shared and used in a manner which respects the rights of others and refraining from activity that prevents others from using it.
  
  
• Using the Library's Internet resources for educational, informational, and recreational purposes only.
  
  
• Refraining from using the Library's Internet resources to conduct a business or commercial activity such as the distribution of advertising.
  
  
• Refraining from illegal or unethical use of the Internet.
  
  
• Respecting intellectual property rights by making only authorized copies of copyrighted, licensed or otherwise-controlled software residing on the Internet.
  
  
• Respecting the privacy of others by not misrepresenting oneself as another user; by not attempting to modify or gain access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; and by not seeking disallowed access to any computer system via the Internet.
  
  
• Refraining from damaging or altering the setup of the equipment used to access the Internet at the Library.
  
  
• Refraining from altering or damaging software or data residing on the Internet.
  
  
• Refraining from the deliberate propagation of computer worms and viruses.
  
  
• Refraining from the transmission of threatening, harassing, or abusive language and images.
  

 

Violation of the policies and regulations that govern the use of the Library's Internet Resources may result in suspension or loss of privilege to use these resources. Illegal activity involving the Library's Internet Resources will be subject to prosecution by the appropriate authorities.

 

E-Mail
The Library will not offer e-mail accounts to Library users.