1.0 INTERNET IN THE LIBRARY
The East Gwillimbury Public Library offers public Internet access as part of its mandate to meet the informational, educational, and recreational needs of the community. Information and resources available on the Internet can expand and enhance the materials offered at the Library. Multiple Internet workstations are available in both the Holland Landing Branch and the Mount Albert Branch. Wireless access is also available at both branches for patrons who provide their own laptop computers or other wireless-capable devices.

The Library does not censor by restricting Internet access. Some Web sites may contain information that some library patrons will find controversial or inappropriate. Library patrons access the Internet at their own discretion. Restriction of children’s access to the Internet is the responsibility of parents and legal guardians. Patrons under the age of 14 must have signed permission from a parent or legal guardian prior to using the Internet workstations, and parents are encouraged to come to the Library with their children in order to supervise their Internet use.

2.0 CONTENT ON THE INTERNET  
.1 Web Guide
As an aid to patrons, the Library’s Web site includes a Web Guide which offers links to a variety of Library-recommended sites for both children and adults. The Web Guide provides starting points for research, links to reference works, and recommended sites in a variety of subject areas. These links are provided for the interest and education of Library patrons. By clicking on such links, patrons leave the Library’s Web site and enter the Internet at large. The Library assumes no responsibility or legal liability for the accuracy or currency of the information contained in any of its Web Guide links.

.2 Library Staff Assistance with Internet Use
Reference staff use the Internet as a reference tool and will locate and retrieve some Internet information for patrons. Staff will also try to assist patrons with their Internet use and, as time permits, guide them to sites. Staff cannot, however, offer personal instruction throughout the patron’s Internet session. Current books about the Internet are available in the Library’s collection, and individual Beginner Internet Tutoring sessions are offered by Library staff, by appointment, for a small fee.

3.0 PREREQUISITES FOR USE
 
.1 Library Cards
Patrons must have a valid library card in their own name order to use the Internet workstations or the wireless network. Fines or fees related to the borrowing of Library materials will not impact a patron’s Internet workstation or wireless privileges.
 
.2 Permission of Parent or Guardian
Patrons under the age of 14 must have the written permission of a parent or legal guardian prior to using the Internet workstations or wireless network. Permission forms are available at the reference desk. Forms may be taken home, but a parent or legal guardian must present the signed form to reference staff in person. Internet permission may be withdrawn by a parent or legal guardian at any time.

.3 Technical Requirements for Wireless Network
The Library uses all four current WiFi standards, also known as IEEE 802.11a/b/g/i. Patrons must supply their own laptop or other wireless-ready device, and such laptop or other device must have built-in WiFi or a WiFi network card. (Network cards are not provided by the Library.) While most WiFi equipment will be compatible with the Library’s wireless network, the Library does not guarantee compatibility. The Library also does not guarantee the reliability or security of a patron’s connections to the network or to the Internet.

.4 Visitors to the Library
Non-residents of East Gwillimbury may use the Internet workstations or wireless network as guests of the Library. Visitors wishing to use the Internet workstations or the wireless network must sign up at the reference desk. All restrictions set out in this policy apply to guests, including those regarding Internet permission for patrons under the age of 14.

4.0 RESERVING INTERNET WORKSTATIONS
 
.1 Regular Internet Workstations
Patrons aged 14 and older may use the automated PC Reservation station to book their time on the workstations. Reservations may also be made in advance by telephoning the reference desk. Patrons are allowed three half-hour sessions in a 24-hour period. Patrons who are 5 minutes late for the start of their reserved session will forfeit their session. At the discretion of Library staff, patrons under the age of 14 may be permitted in some circumstances to use the regular Internet workstations.

.2 Children’s Internet Workstations
Patrons under the age of 14 must make their workstation reservations at the reference desk. Reservations may also be made in advance by telephoning the reference desk. Patrons are allowed three half-hour sessions in a 24-hour period. Patrons who are 5 minutes late for the start of their reserved session will forfeit their session. Patrons aged 14 and older will not be permitted to use the children’s Internet workstations.

5.0 WIRELESS
 
.1 Availability of Wireless
The Library’s wireless network is available to patrons in the Library during the Library’s regular hours. Wireless coverage is provided for the entire Library, but wireless signal strength may be weaker around some hidden spots and in the corners.

.2 Wireless Connection Procedures
Please consult the brochure “Wireless at Your Library” for an outline of wireless procedures for patrons and visitors to the Library.
 
.3 Use of Wireless Is At Patron’s Own Risk
Use of the Library’s wireless network is at the patron’s own risk. The wireless network provides no data encryption between the access points and a patron’s device. Anyone in the vicinity of the Library may potentially capture information sent to or from a patron’s device. The Library recommends that patrons do not transmit credit card information or passwords while using the wireless network. It is patrons’ responsibility to protect their devices from viruses and hackers. The Library recommends that all devices be equipped with up-to-date antivirus software, security patches, firewalls, and the like.

.4 Printing
Patrons will need to download a small program in order to print via the Library’s wireless network. Visit the Wireless Printing Instructions webpage and follow the instructions to download the printing application. Patrons can retrieve their print jobs at the Check out Desk at a cost of 25 cents per page. A patron may supply his or her own paper, in which case the printing cost is reduced to 15 cents per page.

.5 Library Not Responsible for Theft or Damage
The Library is not responsible for unattended laptops or other devices. Library staff cannot assist patrons with their wireless devices, network cards, or configuration. The Library is not responsible for any damages sustained by patrons’ wireless devices or their contents while using the Library’s wireless network.

.6 Termination of Wireless Connection and/or Withdrawal of Wireless Privileges
In order to protect its wireless network and other Library patrons, the Library reserves the right to terminate a patron’s wireless Internet connection at any time, or to withdraw a patron’s wireless access privileges entirely.

6.0 DOWNLOADING
Installing, downloading, or modifying any software on the Internet workstations is prohibited. Patrons may not download materials onto an Internet workstation’s hard drive. Patrons may bring their own formatted diskettes or USB flash drives and copy material onto them. Diskettes may also be purchased at the Library’s circulation desk. The Library reserves the right to restrict patrons to using only diskettes that have been purchased at the Library if the patron’s own diskettes or flash drives create problems, such as viruses, on the Library’s Internet workstations.

7.0 UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS AND DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT
Patrons will not make any attempt to gain unauthorized access to restricted files or networks, or to damage or modify the Library’s computer equipment or software. Any damage to computers or their peripheral devices is the responsibility of the patron. Abuse of the equipment or the service will result in the patron being denied further access to the Internet workstations and the wireless network. Malicious damage may result in prosecution.

8.0 ILLEGAL ACTIVITY
Patrons may not use the Internet workstations or the Library’s wireless network for any illegal activity or to place material on the Internet related to any illegal activity. Patrons are subject to federal and provincial legislation regulating Internet use, including the provisions of the Criminal Code regarding obscenity, child pornography, sedition, and the incitement of hate. Any illegal activity will result in the patron being denied further access to the Internet workstations and the wireless network.

9.0 ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR
A maximum of two people may be seated at each Internet workstation. Headphone use is required for all programs and Web sites with sound features. Patrons must comply at all times with the Library’s posted Code of Conduct.

10.0 PRINTING
Printing is available on the Library’s networked printers at a cost of 25 cents per page. A patron may supply his or her own paper, in which case the printing cost is reduced to 15 cents per page.

11.0 COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS
Patrons may not use the Internet workstations or the wireless network to download, upload, transmit, or post to the Internet any copyrighted or otherwise protected material or software, without the permission of the copyright owner. It is the responsibility of the patron to inform himself or herself about copyright and licensing laws.

12.0 COMPLIANCE WITH POLICY/SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF PRIVILEGES
All patrons must read and agree to the terms of this policy prior to using the Internet workstations or the wireless network. The Library may suspend or terminate all Internet workstation and wireless privileges if the Library staff reasonably believe that a patron has violated this policy.