It is the Library’s mission to Inspire, Inform, Engage the community by providing resources representing all points of view and in a variety of formats.  The Internet offers access to many valuable local, national, and international sources of information.  A good information consumer must evaluate the validity and appropriateness of information found online. 

In keeping with this mission, different forms of Internet access are provided at both the Thousand Oaks Library and the Newbury Park Library.

Forms of Access

WIRELESS INTERNET

Wireless Internet Access using personal computers or other devices – two-hour filtered sessions, a user may log in multiple sessions without using a Library card.

PUBLIC ACCESS COMPUTERS

Adults: two-hour filtered session per user with a Thousand Oaks Library card; or a free, two-hour Guest Pass for adults without a Library card; Adults or Juveniles, sixth grade or older with parental consent, may override a filtered session restriction for a 15-minute session after acknowledging the “override” terms of use. Patrons are allowed multiple overrides within the same session.

Patrons may extend their time at a Public Access Computer for up to two requests or a maximum of three hours per day. If there are computers available, and the patron wishes to use more than three hours, they may request additional time at the Information Desk. Additional hours may be granted at the discretion of the Library staff on duty.

Children and minors: two-hour filtered sessions in the Children’s Library; may log in multiple sessions a day with an alias; no Library card is required, and no filter override is available.

All users connecting to the Internet using the Library’s network must abide by the Internet Use Contract.

INTERNET USE CONTRACT

Patrons are welcome to access the Internet in the Library under the following terms and conditions.  Failure to do so may result in immediate loss of Internet use privileges.

While using the Public Access Computers or the Library’s wireless network, users acknowledge the policy by clicking on the ACCEPT button at the time of login that he/she are subject to, and agree to abide by all laws, and all rules and regulations of the City of Thousand Oaks, County of Ventura, the State of California, and the United States Government that are applicable to Internet use.

The Library reserves the right to investigate any improper use of shared computing resources. The Library makes no warranty or guarantee and accepts no responsibility for any consequences of service interruptions or changes, even if these disruptions arise from circumstances under the control of the Library.

Materials obtained or copied from the Internet may be subject to copyright laws.  United States copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials.  Responsibility for any consequence of copyright infringement lies with the user.  The Thousand Oaks Library expressly disclaims any responsibility for, or liability for copyright violation by a user.

The Library does not monitor and has no control over the content of the Internet.  User discretion is advised. Each user is solely responsible for evaluating the validity and usefulness of information found on the Internet, and the Library has no liability or responsibility arising from access to or use of Internet resources.  In using this free Internet access, I agree and hereby release, indemnify, and hold harmless, the City of Thousand Oaks, its officers and employees, and any affiliate, from any damage that may result in the use of this Internet access.

TERMS OF USE

• Users may not conduct any illegal activity, invade anyone’s privacy, or harass other individuals while using the Library’s network or computing resources.

• Users may not use another person’s password or identity to access Public Access Computers.

• Users may not tamper with equipment, exploit any gaps in system security, or vandalize or damage software programs.

• Users may not use Library’s network or equipment to gain access to unauthorized resources or entities or invade the personal privacy of individuals.

• Users may not load personal software, transfer or download programs and executable files, on Library equipment.

• Users must abide by the copyright laws of the United States as they pertain to documents retrieved from the Internet.

• Users are required to be sensitive to the public nature of shared facilities and may not display any sexually explicit, hate-related or intentionally harmful/disturbing graphics, sounds, or messages on Library’s network and computing resources, or on personal wireless capable devices.

FAILURE TO COMPLY

Users failing to comply will be asked to sign the “Acknowledgement of Internet Use Agreement” statement.  Any further failure to comply with the Internet Use Contract will immediately result in the loss of Library Internet privileges.  

The first violation will result in a loss of Library Internet access for a 30-day period.  A second violation will result in a loss of Library Internet access for a period of 90 days.  A third violation will result in a loss of Library Internet access for one year.

The Library will make a reasonable effort to provide the user with written notification of suspension of privileges or exclusion, including the reason for the action, the time period, and the appeal process. It is not necessary that this notification be accepted or received for the restriction or exclusion to take effect.

The actions of Library Staff members under this policy may be appealed by users in writing to the Library Director, within ten (10) business days of the date of the original written notice of suspension of privileges or exclusion. The Director will then have ten (10) business days from receipt of the appeal to respond. The restriction or exclusion will remain in effect throughout the appeal process.