It is the policy of the Washington-Centerville Public Library to provide, as resources permit, free Internet service for education and informational purposes in an environment that is secure and conducive to public use and in a manner that complies with federal, state, and local laws.
Filtering software is used on all Library Information Stations with Internet Searching and on wireless access in an attempt to protect against access to sites containing obscenity, materials harmful to juveniles, and child pornography as defined by federal, state or local statute.
Filter Override:
Sites can be unblocked only on a site-by-site basis, and only on Library Information Stations with Internet Searching and Wireless Access on Patron-Owned Computers.
Adults:
Adults may request, without explanation, that a blocked site be temporarily unblocked. Proof of age may be required. Adult Services Specialists may override the filter as long as the site does not violate the Library's Internet Access and Use Policy and is not a proxy avoidance site.
Children Under 18:
Children under 18 may request that Adult Services Specialists temporarily unblock a site if it:
- is for bona fide research, medical, scientific, educational, governmental, judicial, or other lawful purpose AND
- does not qualify as “harmful to juveniles” under Ohio law.
A reason for the request may be required. Parents or legal guardians of children under 18 may request, in person, that a site be temporarily unblocked for their child’s access if it meets the above requirements.
- No filtering software on the market today is 100% effective.
- Filtering software limits legal liability and is compliant with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and other related statutes.
- Washington-Centerville Public Library uses OpenDNS software to filter*:
- Tasteless
Sites that contain information on such subjects as mutilation, torture, horror, or the grotesque. Includes Pro-Anorexia and Pro-Suicide related sites.
- Sexuality
Sites that provide information, images or implications of bondage, sadism, masochism, fetish, beating, body piercing or self-mutilation. This category is not intended for LGBT related sites that do not fall under the aforementioned criteria.
- Pornography
Anything relating to pornography including mild depiction, soft pornography or hard-core pornography.
- Proxy/Anonymizer
Sites providing proxy bypass information or services. Also, sites that allow the user to surf the net anonymously, including sites that allow the user to send anonymous emails.
* Definitions provided by OpenDNS; For more information:
www.opendns.com
Washington-Centerville Public Library does not monitor information accessed through the Internet and cannot warrant that the information is accurate, authoritative, complete or inoffensive. All users of this service agree to hold Washington-Centerville Public Library and the Ohio Public Library Information Network harmless from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations or liabilities, directly or indirectly relating to the use of OPLIN, the Internet, or the databases, software and hardware provided by Washington-Centerville Public Library caused thereby or arising therefrom. In no event shall the Washington-Centerville 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 Washington-Centerville Public Library or OPLIN is advised of the possibility of such damages.