Our Internet Policy

While the Internet offers access to a wealth of valuable information, not all of its resources provide reliable, complete or current material. Some may contain information that is controversial or inappropriate for some users. Because the Internet is unregulated, Orange County Public Library has no control over the information available through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content or accuracy. If library patrons choose to access the Internet through the Library's connection, they do so at their own discretion and are responsible for evaluating both the validity of the material they find and its appropriateness for their use. Illegal use of the Internet is prohibited.

Children under the age of 18 who have a valid OCPL library card may use filtered Internet terminals in the children's area of the library without obtaining special permission to do so. "Filtered" terminals utilize software designed to minimize minors' access to inappropriate sites or materials.

Children under the age of eighteen wishing to use the unfiltered Internet at OCPL libraries must first provide an OCPL Internet Parental Permission Aggreement form signed by their parent or guardian, in which the responsible adult specifically states that they wish their child to use the unfiltered Internet. As in the case with other resources in the Library collection, a minor's access to the Internet is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

On OCPL's Homepage, through which our users enter the Internet, OCPL provides a direct link to the "Librarian's Index To The Internet," a fully indexed and cataloged directory of links, providing access to some 5,000 pre-approved and evaluated sites. This directory provides a "child safe" and reliable method of Internet use. Linking out of this directory does enable access to the entire World Wide Web. Parents are encouraged to participate in their children's Internet sessions at the Library, and should let their children know if there are materials which they do not want them to use.

For more information on children and the Internet, see "Child Safety on the Information Highway" produced by the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This information can be found at the Information Desk or click here to download or read the text of that pamphlet.