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Public Access Internet Use Policy

Section 1: Purpose

In order to advance the goal of the Oliver Wolcott Library to be responsive to the cultural, informational and educational needs of its patrons, the Library shall provide access to the Internet, subject to the guidelines set forth below.

Section 2: Guidelines for Use

The following guidelines will govern the use of the Library’s public-access Internet:

  1. Permitted Access, Use, and Supervision:
    1. All resources available on the Internet with the exception of those items listed in Prohibited Access and Use noted below.
    2. Parents or guardians, not the Library or its staff, are responsible for the Internet information selected or accessed by their children. Parents and guardians are advised to supervise their children’s computer use. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure the safe and appropriate use of the Internet.
    3. Virtual meetings may be held by accessing our outside wifi network or the indoor wifi network using your own personal device if a suitable location can be found that does not disrupt other library users.
  2. Prohibited Access and Use
    1. Viewing sexually explicit and/or, obscene and/or potentially offensive images, graphics and/or material.
    2. Harassing, libeling or slandering of others.
    3. Engaging in interactive internet games.
    4. Destruction of or damage to the equipment, software, or data belonging to the Library or other users; changing the Library’s set-up or software or hardware; disruption or unauthorized monitoring or electronic communications; or unauthorized copying of copyright-protected material.
    5. Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.
    6. Unauthorized access, including so-called ‘hacking’, and any other illegal activity.
    7. Holding virtual meetings using our Internet workstations.
  3. Implementation and Practices
    1. In order to assure availability of the Internet workstations, access will be limited to one hour per day. If workstations are free after the initial hour, additional increments may be given at 30-minute intervals. The staff will monitor and enforce this by such methods as that best suit the needs of the Library. This does not apply to patrons accessing the Internet using their own personal devices.
    2. If all the Internet workstations are in use, a patron may reserve the next available workstation by notifying the library staff. The reservation allows that the next available workstation will be held for 5-minutes for that patron. It is the responsibility of the patron to watch for the available computer. This does not apply to patrons accessing the Internet using their own personal devices.
    3. A maximum of two (2) people may use an Internet workstation at a time. This does not apply to patrons accessing the Internet using their own personal devices.
    4. Users are expected to have basic computing and Internet knowledge.
    5. Users are expected to be courteous and quiet to avoid disturbing people using other Library resources.
    6. Users are expected to wear headphones, which the Library can make available upon request, if the user will be listening to any audio or video. Even with headphones on, the noise level should be limited so as not to disturb other library users.

Section 3: Caveats

The Oliver Wolcott Library assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, content, completeness, or type of information found on the Internet.

Although the staff of the Oliver Wolcott Library will enforce its Internet Policy, it does not assume a separate responsibility for monitoring or controlling access to the Internet or the content of material available or accessed through the Internet.

Users who release public information do so at their own risk. Anything accessed or entered on the Library’s public access Internet computers are not secure and may be accessible to others.

Staff is able to provide only limited Internet assistance.

Section 4: Enforcement

Use of the Library’s public access Internet in violation of the policies and practices set forth herein or for an illegal purpose or in a manner that is detrimental to the functioning of the Library and its other services may be enforced by denial of use, suspension of library privileges or referral to an appropriate law enforcement agency. The Library Director will maintain penalty guidelines with the approval of the Board.

Section 5: Modification of Policy

The Oliver Wolcott Library reserves the right to modify this policy at any time, without notice.


Adopted 1998.

Revised May 18, 2004.

Revised August 21, 2007.

Revised July 21, 2009

Revised July 20, 2021