Medford Public Library believes in providing timely access to information and creative works for every level of interest and ability, from a variety of formats. The Internet is a significant electronic information resource and offers information of many kinds, both education and recreational.

Although the Internet offers access to many valuable sources of information, not all the information on the Internet is accurate, complete, or current. Users must be good information consumers, questioning the validity and appropriateness of the material they find.

Given the size and constantly evolving nature of content on Internet, there may be occasions when information of a controversial nature is accessed. Some sites may contain material that is considered by some to be defamatory, offensive, or even illegal. The Library recognizes that tastes widely vary in any community and material which is acceptable to one person may be unacceptable to another.

Medford Public Library does not endorse the viewpoints or vouch for the accuracy of information obtained online. The Library seeks to provide equal access to information for persons of all ages, preserving minors’ status as full members of the Internet community. Parents and guardians of children under the ages of 18 are responsible for deciding what library materials are appropriate for their children. Supervision or restriction of a child’s access to the Internet, as with other library resources, is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

The Medford Public Library strives to provide parents and guardians with the tools and skills necessary for guiding their children’s Internet use. We believe that electronic information skills are fundamental to the preparation of citizens and future employees. We strive to protect the First Amendment rights of our patrons, and their individual rights of privacy. However, as the Library’s computers are located in public areas, images on the screen and paper printouts of those images may be visible to a wide audience. Internet users must respect the rights and sensitivities of others, which is consistent with the library’s general rules of conduct. Failure to use computers appropriately and responsibly may result in the revocation of Internet use privileges.

While all computers are free to all patrons without age restriction. The computers in the Children’s Department are designated for the use of children. Parents or Guardians may assist those in their care but cannot use a station unattended by a minor.

• Computer use is limited to one person per computer. If there are two people at a computer, they must both be engaged in a shared purpose.
• Computers in the Children’s Department do not require a library card or log-in. There is no software program to restrict user time. Youth Services staff might ask a patron using the time-unrestricted computers, to take a break after a duration of 30 minutes. A break of 30 minutes allows other possible users to access the computers. Patrons may log in again after this respite. There is no daily limit to this use.
• Computers in the children’s area are not connected to a printer. There is no charge for computer use. If prints are needed, the adult computers are available for such purpose. Paper can be purchased for 25¢ a page at the Information or Reference desks.

Use of computer resources for ANY of the following is prohibited:

• Stealing, damaging, or altering software or hardware
• Using computer resources for other than their intended purpose
• Attempting to, or gaining unauthorized access to files, passwords, data, etc.
• Violating software license agreements
• Violating applicable federal, state, or local laws
• Interfering with or disrupting other computer users
• Behaving in a malicious, threatening, harassing, or obscene manner
• Publicly displaying obscene material on computer screens or in hard copy