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Wireless/Wired Internet Access

The Forsyth County Public Library provides free filtered wireless/wired Internet access for Forsyth County Public Library cardholders.

The library has no control over information accessed through the Internet and is not responsible for its content. Provision of Internet access by the Library does not constitute an endorsement of any particular information contained on the Internet.

Network Security:  Wireless/wired signals can be intercepted. Use of wireless/wired Internet in the public library is neither private nor secure. Users should be aware that personal information transmitted via the Internet is not secure and could be viewed by other users.

The Library is not responsible for any personal information that is compromised, or for any damage caused to hardware or software due to electrical surges, security issues or consequences caused by viruses or hacking. All wireless/wired access users are individually responsible for maintaining up-to-date virus protection on personal laptop computers or wireless/wired devices.

Network Availability:  Personal laptop network use is “as is” and “as available.” Random loss of signal is not preventable. The Library is not responsible for loss of personal data or damage to personal equipment due to loss of wireless/wired signal.

Limitations on Use:  Filtered wireless/wired access is available to library cardholders. Guests must use library provided computers to access the Internet. Wireless/wired users agree to abide by the Library’s Internet Policy and Acceptable use Rules while using the Library’s wireless/wired network.

Adult users or juveniles with permission must use a computer provided by the Library to obtain unfiltered access to the Internet.

Personal Equipment Security:  The Library is not responsible for theft of or damage to personal equipment brought into the library.

Support:  Users are responsible for configuring their own equipment. The Library does not provide technical support for establishing or maintaining a connection nor equipment configurations. The Library is not responsible for any changes made to an individual computer’s settings and does not guarantee that a user’s hardware will work with the Library’s wireless/wired connection.

Filtering Statement:  All wireless/wired Internet access is equipped with filtering software designed to block access to sites that contain chat rooms, visual depictions and/or information which is unlawful, or which may reasonably be construed as being obscene, child pornography or materials “harmful to minors” as currently defined by Federal Law (47 U.S.C.A. 254(h)(7)(G)) .

Access to an unfiltered Internet session is available upon request to patrons with identification aged 18 or older (O.C.G.A. 16-12-100.1(a)(5)) only on library provided computers. Minors, defined as patrons under the age of 18, must complete a form, which requires the signature of a parent or guardian, to request and receive an unfiltered session.

The Library provides unfiltered Internet access to assure public access to informational sites that might inadvertently be screened by filtering software. It also fulfills the CIPA (Child Internet Protection Act) requirement to disable filters to adults upon request.

Acceptable Use Rules:

1. Wireless/wired access to the Internet shall not be used for illegal activities, to access illegal materials or to access materials which by local community standards would be considered obscene (O.C.G.A. 16-12-80).

2. Transmitting and/or receiving obscene materials and/or child pornography are a violation of law and are not permitted under any circumstances. Child pornography is defined under federal and/or state law (18 U.S.C. 2256; O.C.G.A. 16-12-100).

3. Minors, whether or not accompanied by a parent or guardian, shall not use wireless/wired Internet access for any illegal activity, or to access illegal materials, child pornography, obscene materials, or materials “harmful to minors” as currently defined by law.

4. Users shall respect copyright laws and licensing agreements.

5. Users shall not use the Library’s wireless/wired access to gain unauthorized access to the Forsyth County Public Library’s networks or computer systems or to any other network or computer system.

6. Users shall not attempt to damage or alter Library equipment or software configurations

7. Prompt payment of printing and other authorized fees incurred while using wireless/wired access computers is required.

8. Users shall respect the privacy of other users and shall refrain from attempting to view or read material being used or printed by others, as well as from censoring or commenting on what others are viewing or printing.

9. Users are financially responsible for any charges that they may incur from their use of the Internet.

10. The staff in charge may establish the number of wireless/wired Internet access sessions available per day, per user. Such limitations will be dependent on facility-specific demand in order to provide access for the majority of users.

11. Users must be seated at tables or chairs provided by the library while using wireless/wired Internet access.

Termination or Prohibition of Access

Library staff has the authority to end a user’s Internet session if that user is violating any of the Acceptable Use Rules. The user must end the session when asked to do so.

Violations may subject a patron to criminal prosecution.

When a staff member terminates or prohibits access to the Internet, an Incident Report form must be completed.

An Internet user whose access session has been terminated or whose Internet access has been prohibited shall have the right to appeal and/or request that the Internet access privileges be reinstated. An appeal must be in writing and submitted to the Library Director within five days of the termination or prohibition. Within ten days of receipt of the appeal, the Library Director shall review the matter and notify the patron in writing of the decision. If the decision is adverse to the patron, the patron may appeal in writing within five days to the Library Board of Trustees, which shall thereafter consider the matter and issue its decision in writing within thirty days of receipt. No further appeals shall be considered. Temporary or permanent denial of Internet privileges at any Forsyth County Public Library facility will be effective at all library facilities.