Moorpark City Library

The Moorpark City Library provides the opportunity for public access to the Internet
which allows individuals of all ages the freedom to explore and expand their
knowledge beyond the traditional "walls" of the Library.

The following policy governs the use of public computer resources in the Moorpark
City Library, including public Internet access, use of computers in the Library's computer
lab, non-Internet applications, and remote use of the library's computer services.

Before using any Internet workstation at the Moorpark City Library, a patron must agree
to and sign this "Moorpark City Library Internet and Computer Use Policy and Patron
Agreement" (the Policy”). In signing for a library card for their children under the age of
18, parents and legal guardians acknowledge that their children will be allowed access
to the Internet. The Library will honor requests by parents or legal guardians that their
children under the age of 18 not be allowed to access the Internet via Library computers.

The Internet is an unregulated, global resource that contains materials that some persons
may find offensive. While the City of Moorpark will take precautions to ensure the safety
of minors in the library, the City cannot be responsible for anything that any library user
may see or read while in the library that the user or, in the case of minors, the user's parents,
may find offensive. The Library urges parents to accompany their children while visiting the
library to ensure that their children are safe at all times.

Internet users are expected to act in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner. Users may
not use Library computers to access Internet sites that depict or transmit material that
violates state and federal law. The Library is not responsible for the content of retrieved
information. Library users are responsible for critically evaluating the quality and accuracy
of material obtained from the Internet. Internet filter software is not infallible and even when
using filtering tools minors may be exposed to explicit material.

The Library expressly disclaims and shall have no liability for any direct, indirect, or
consequential damages related to information obtained from the Internet. All users shall
expressly assume the risk of receiving incorrect, inaccurate, defective, fraudulent, or
unlawful information while accessing the Internet through any equipment or service
offered by the City of Moorpark.

Wireless Internet users must agree to the “"wireless network terms of use" (below) before
accessing the library's network with their own wireless (802.11b/g) capable devices.

To protect their privacy, Internet users must log off at the end of their session.

Access on most library computers is filtered as to sexually explicit content. Adult patrons
may request unfiltered access for themselves and will be assigned an available computer
that does not filter internet access. Children under the age of 18 will have filtered access
unless a parent or guardian requests, in writing and in the presence of Library staff, that
their child be given unfiltered access.

Users whose conduct while using public computer systems is disruptive or interferes with
the use of the Library by others, will be asked to modify their behavior or, if unable to modify
their behavior, will be asked to leave the library.

The Moorpark City Library reserves the right to revoke or suspend computer privileges in the
case of failure to comply with this policy or the violation of local, state, or federal law. The
Library may suspend privileges by a minor without notification to the parent or legal guardian.
In addition, unlawful activities will be reported to the County Sheriff's department and dealt
with appropriately.

• The Moorpark City Library wireless network is unsecured. The library cannot guarantee
the safety of data transmitted across its wireless network.

• The Moorpark City Library assumes no responsibility for the configurations, security, or
changes to personal data files resulting from a connection to the City network; the safety of
equipment (patrons should keep equipment with them at all times); for the availability of a
wireless connection (there is no guarantee that users will be able to make a wireless
connection).
• Library staff does not provide technical assistance of any kind.
• In using this free internet access, user agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless
the City of Moorpark, its officers and employees, and any affiliate, from any damage that
may result from use of this wireless access.
• While using this wireless access, user must acknowledge that they are subject to, and
agree to abide by all laws, and all rules and regulations of the City of Moorpark, County of
Ventura, State of California, and the federal government that are applicable to Internet use.

1. Library workstations are available for one hour per day per user. Library staff may extend
sessions if no other patrons are waiting. Staff may designate one or more computers for use
as online homework tutoring stations and may allow an exemption from the one-hour rule on
any such computer for this use between the hours of 3:00 p.m. and closing Monday through
Thursday.
2. One workstation will be designated as the “express” computer terminal. This computer
will be specifically for quick use and limited to a 15 minutes at a time.
3. Use of a workstation is on a first-come/first-served basis.
4. Users must sign up to use a computer on a next-available basis. Requests for specific
computers cannot be honored.
5. Only one person at a time may use a workstation. Exceptions may be made at the discretion
of Library staff.
6. Printing may not be available at all workstations. The printing fee is 10 cents ($.10) per page,
even if the customer supplies paper. Printers may not be used for other purposes or attached to other computers.
7. Users must provide their own disks or USB drives.
8. Users are prohibited from interfering with the performance of the network. Users must not reconfigure workstations, “hack” passwords, gain entry to closed area of the network, or
introduce computer viruses. Users are responsible for any hardware of software damage
they cause. Tampering with hardware or software is considered vandalism and may result in
legal action (violation of California Penal Code Section 502 et.seq.).
9. Users may not use the workstation for illegal activity, including violating copyright laws or
software license agreements.
10. Users may not install their own software programs or attach personal hardware to Library computers.
11. Users must not interfere with the work of others and must respect one's right to privacy.
12. The Moorpark City Library upholds the right of confidentiality and privacy for all users;
however, the Library reserves the right to monitor the use of its Internet services and review
any electronic data on the Library's lines (including e-mail communications) if necessary for the
proper operation of the Library or to ensure compliance with this Policy and/or local, state, or federal laws. Sign-up sheets for Internet use are not retained as permanent records by the
Library.
13. Absolute privacy for patrons using electronic resources in the Library cannot be guaranteed.
There exists a possibility of inadvertent viewing by other patrons, either by watching the
user's screen, or because a user may leave the screen unattended.
14. The Library does not provide individual e-mail accounts to users; however, users with
existing e-mail accounts may access their accounts or users may register for free e-mail
services available on the Internet. The Library assumes no responsibility and shall have no
liability for any claim or damage resulting from the provision of such access to users.
15. Use of the Library's computers is a privilege. Users must end their sessions and leave
the workstations when asked to do so by library staff.

The public library does not serve in loco parentis (in the place of a parent). Librarians cannot
provide constant care and supervision of children as they explore the Internet. The responsibility
for what minors read or view on the Internet rests with parents or guardians.

The following are recommended guidelines for parents and guardians to ensure that
children have positive online experiences, whether at home or at the Library.
• Use the Internet as a family. Join your children in Internet exploration.
• Explore the wide range of available information and tell your children about sites you
consider inappropriate for them.
• Provide guidelines for your children on the amount of time they spend online, just as for
television viewing.
• Instruct children NEVER to give out personal information (name, address, password,
telephone number, credit card number) online.
• Teach children to be good online consumers. As with print information, consider the source,
date and accuracy of online information.

Parents and children are encouraged to read "Child Safety on the Information Highway"
and "Teen Safety on the Information Highway" available free at any library location or at www.safekids.com and www.safeteens.com.