Policies

Please be familiar with the policies listed below so the Library can maximize its services for you. All policies have been adopted by the Board of the London Public Library.  If you have questions about any of the policies please contact Gary Branson at gbranson@oplin.org or 740-852-9543.

 

Since all Ohio public libraries receive operating income from a statewide income tax it is the policy of the London Public Library to provide walk-in access to print materials available on site to any Ohio resident.

Such person will be expected to provide proof of a current address and, if possible, a current borrower's card from any other Ohio library. He/She will also be expected to be willing to abide by the rules and policies of the London Library, and to assume full responsibility for all materials borrowed

The London Public Library recognizes each library user's right to privacy with regard to information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.  Therefore, the Library specifically recognizes that its circulation, reserve and other records identifying the names of users with specific materials are confidential in nature.

 

No such records shall be made available to any agency of state, federal or local government, or to any individual not specifically authorized by the Library Director for legitimate purposes, except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, federal, state or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigatory power.

 

Upon receipt of such process, order, or subpoena, the Library's officers will consult with their legal counsel to determine if such process, order, or subpoena is in proper form and it there is a showing of good cause for its issuance in a court of competent jurisdiction.  If the process, order, or subpoena is not in proper form or if good cause has not been shown, the Library will insist that such defects be cured.

 

Records of minor children may be provided to their parents or legal guardians. Adopted June 14, 1989, Revised May 15, 1999

 

The London Public Library mission, in part, is to offer access to diverse materials and telecommunication tools to respond to the lifelong information, educational, cultural and leisure needs of the London community. It is within this context that the London Public Library provides connectivity to the Internet via the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN).

 

It is to be understood by users of OPLIN and the Internet that most of the information available is not generated by the London Public Library or OPLIN. The Library, through OPLIN, 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 OPLIN and the Internet is not warranted by the London Public Library or OPLIN 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 and OPLIN are not responsible for the content of networked information available. The use of OPLIN and 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 and OPLIN harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations or liabilities, directly or indirectly relating to the use of OPLIN and the Internet, caused thereby or arising there from. In no event shall the London Public Library or OPLIN 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 or OPLIN is advised of the possibility of such damages.

 

The Library's OPLIN computer accesses the Internet, which is a global entity 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 minor children who assumes responsibility for supervising access to Internet resources in the Library. Parents and children are encouraged to read the accompanying reprint of the pamphlet "Child Safety on the Information Highway," jointly produced by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Interactive Services Association.

 

First time users will receive a copy of this policy and OPLIN access information.

The OPLIN computers are normally available, subject to periodic maintenance, during library hours.

Monday - Thursday 9:00 - 8:30
Friday 9:00 - 6:00
Saturday 10:00 - 5:00
Sunday 1:00 - 5:00

 

Use of the library's computers is on a first come-first served 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 computers will be used for educational, informational and recreational purposes only, not for unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposes. You may not send, receive 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 adjudged 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 on public computers.

 

To guard further against computer viruses, you will need to ask the library staff for a diskette if you wish to save files. Diskettes are available for $1.00. You may not use your own diskettes. Only diskettes purchased at the library can be used to download information.

 

Software downloaded from the library's computer may contain a virus and you should have virus checking software on your computer. The London Public Library is not responsible for damage to a patron's diskette or computer, or for any loss of data, damage, or liability that may occur from patron use of the library's computers.

You may not be able to go to the places on the Internet that you want to visit. The reason may be: too many visitors using the host computer the database or resource is limited to a particular institution the host computer has a different address or has closed down the library's internet connection is temporarily unavailable due to technical difficulties.

 

Library staff will be glad to assist you in accessing OPLIN and the Internet. Staff cannot provide individual in-depth technical instruction but may be able to suggest search strategies and answer questions. From time to time the Library will offer group instruction for members of the London community.

 

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.

 

 

General Information:

The Wireless Gateway will be available during normal library hours on the main and bottom floors of the library.  The SSID is London Library Public Access.  The connection is not encrypted and is not secure. Please see our "WiFi Access Brochure" for more information.  There is a known issue with IE 7 and connecting to our hotspot.  Please read these instructions to reconfigure the browser to bypass this issue.  Otherwise you can use Mozilla Firefox and avoid the issue.  Download Mozilla Firefox for free here!  Apple computers may need to download and install Camino to avoid this issue as well. 

 

The London Library will provide a free Internet access point or “hot spot” for users with portable computers or devices capable of receiving wireless signals, during normal library business hours.

 

Library staff can provide general information or handouts for connecting your device to the wireless network, but cannot troubleshoot problems related to your wireless device or assist in making changes to your device’s network settings and/or hardware configuration. The Library cannot guarantee that your device will work with the Library’s wireless access points.

 

The library will not be responsible for any information (i.e. credit card) that is compromised, or for any damage caused to your hardware or software due to electric surges, security issues or consequences caused by viruses or hacking.

Printers are not available via the wireless connection at this time.   

 

The London Public Library encourages visits by young children to the Children's Department and it is our desire to make this important visit both memorable and enjoyable for the child and the adult who brings the child to the Library. Therefore Library staff cannot be responsible for the care of unsupervised children in the Library.

 

Consequently, it is expected that all children under age 10 are accompanied by a parent or designated responsible adult while in the Library and that said adult be responsible for the child's behavior and safety while in the Library. Likewise if a young child is attending a Library program the parent or responsible person is expected to remain in the Library throughout the program.

Adopted: December 11, 1995