Internet Use Policy

I. Library's Mission

The fundamental goal of the Moreno Valley Public Library is to provide services that will contribute to the educational development and cultural vitality of Moreno Valley. To achieve this goal, the Library's mission is to provide access to a broad range of information resources, including those available through the Internet. This service is made available to offer a program of informational, educational, recreational, and cultural enrichment opportunities for all patrons.

The Library assumes responsibility only for the information provided on its home page at the City of Moreno Valley Web site. The Internet, however, is a gateway to information of great diversity in many countries and cultures around the world. Because of this international character, there is currently no external monitoring of Internet content. While most of the information accessed can be valuable and enlightening, the user might also find materials that are controversial, unreliable, personally offensive or illegal under U.S. law.

The Library is not responsible for changes in the content of the sources to which patrons link, or for the content of sources accessed through secondary links. The Library can neither censor access to all controversial material nor protect patrons from information they might find offensive. The Library neither monitors nor controls information accessible through the Internet and does not accept responsibility for its content.

II. Rules Governing Patron Use

General Use (applies to all patrons)
1. Access to the Internet is available only on clearly marked workstations located throughout the Library or on the Library's public wireless system.
2. There are separate computers available for ages 13 and up and for ages 12 and under.
  Card ID- Your complete 13-digit library card number (Ex: 1000115559999)
  Password- The last 4 digits of your phone number
  1. You are the ONLY one allowed to use computer resources with your library card. If you let anyone other than yourself use the Library's computer resources, you will lose your computer resource privileges.
  2. You can sign on to use the in-house computers up to 2 times a day for a maximum of 1 hour per session. There is no limit on wireless access.
  3. If the computers or wireless access are full, you can make a reservation for the next available time using the Reservation Computer. You can make a reservation for up to 7 days in advance—only one reservation is allowed at a time.
  4. When a reservation to use in-house computers is made, go to your assigned computer at the assigned time. Sign on by using your Card ID and Password. (If you are not signed on to your computer by 5 minutes after your reserved time, your reservation will be canceled).
  5. When using in-house computers, make sure you save to a floppy disk or USB flash drive (memory stick) or print what you are working on BEFORE your time ends. If you don't, you will lose what you were working on.
  6. If you finish using the computer before your time expires, make sure you properly log off by pressing the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keys at the same time and clicking on "Log Off." DO NOT shut the in-house computer off—doing so will cause you to lose your computer privileges.
  7. If you have any computer questions, please wait your turn to ask staff.
3. Downloading of files may be done to floppy disks or USB flash drives (memory sticks) only. The Library is not responsible for damage to patrons' disks, USB flash drives (memory sticks), or computers, or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur to patrons' software due to a computer virus contracted from patron use of the Library's Internet services or equipment.
4. Patrons may not load software of any kind onto Library-owned equipment.
Use by minors (under age 18)
1. Parents or guardians of minor children must assume responsibility for their children's use of the Internet. The Library has neither the right nor the responsibility to act in place of a parent or guardian.
2. All children's workstations have filtering software installed, in an attempt to ensure that obscene, and possibly illegal, materials are not made available to minors at the library. However, such software has a variable rate of effectiveness in screening out age-inappropriate sites.
3. Children under the age of 13 may use only the children's Internet stations.
4. Anyone age 13 and older must use the adult computers.
User Responsibilities
1. Legal Usage: Computing resources may not be used for any illegal purposes. Examples of illegal use include, but are not limited to, the following:
  1. Attempting to alter or damage computer equipment, software configurations, or files belonging to the City of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley Public Library, or any other user or external network (California Penal Code, Section 502 et Seq.).
  2. Attempting unauthorized entry to the City of Moreno Valley's computer network or external networks.
  3. Engaging in activity that is deliberately and maliciously offensive, libelous, slanderous or harassing to others.
  4. Transmission of child pornography or obscene material.
  5. Intentional propagation of computer viruses.
  6. Violation of copyright or communication laws. U.S. copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of "fair use." Any responsibility for any consequences of copyright infringement lies with the user. The Library expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility from such use.
2. Computer Etiquette: Computing resources must be used in accordance with the rules of the Moreno Valley Public Library. Examples of unacceptable use include, but are not limited to, the following:
  1. Hacking (breaking into or out of any system) and violation of computer systems security.
  2. Use of computer communications facilities in ways that interfere with or impede computer use by others.
  3. Intentional violation of another patron's privacy.
  4. Obtrusively displaying information with the intent of being disruptive or offensive to others.
Sanctions
1. Violation of any of the rules described above will result in the patron having Library computer privileges suspended.
2. Illegal acts involving Library computing resources, in addition to the sanctions listed under D.1, may also be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.
3. Patrons are financially liable for any damage caused either directly or indirectly to any equipment or software belonging to the City of Moreno Valley or the Moreno Valley Public Library.
4. The Library reserves the right to terminate a patron's Internet/computer/wireless access session at any time the Library staff deems the use to be in conflict with the Library Patron Internet Use Policy and Guidelines or the Patron Responsibility and Conduct Code.

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