Introduction 

The mission of New Milford Public Library is to provide free resources that inspire reading, guide learning,  and encourage individual exploration. 

New Milford Public Library is a forum for all points of view and adheres to the principles of intellectual  freedom as expressed in the Library Bill of Rights formulated by the American Library Association, and  endorsed by its Board of Directors. 

New Milford Public Library’s Internet Safety Policy is designed to promote access to the Internet while  protecting children from exposure to inappropriate material, as well as the public from unlawful access to and  use or disclosure of personal information, and unauthorized access to legally restricted areas. 

The Internet Safety Policy’s purpose is to prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of,  inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; to  prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; to prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use,  or dissemination of personal identification information; and to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection  Act (CIPA) [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)]. 

Filtering 

In compliance with CIPA, the Library filters all its computers, and all access to the Internet through its  network, to protect against access to obscene visual depictions and child pornography, as required by law. 

The filter may unintentionally block sites that have legitimate research value and fail to block objectionable  content. Users should be aware that Internet filtering software installed for CIPA compliance should not  substitute for individual judgment and/or parental involvement and oversight. 

As the law requires, the Library will disable filtered Internet access to persons 18 or older who request it for  bona fide research or any other lawful purposes. This will require the completion of an Unfiltered Internet  Request Form, available at https://newmilfordlibrary.org/policies/ as well as at the library. 

Inappropriate Network Usage 

To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the New Milford  Public Library’s online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and  other forms of direct electronic communications. 

Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage  includes: (a) unauthorized access, including so-called ‘hacking,’ and other unlawful activities; (b) unauthorized  disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and (c)  dissemination and viewing of obscene visual depictions, child pornography, and/or other materials harmful to  minors.

Education, Supervision and Monitoring 

The Library affirms and acknowledges the rights and responsibilities of parents and caregivers to monitor and  determine their children’s access to library materials and resources, including those available through the  Internet. 

Parents or caregivers are responsible for the Internet information selected and/or accessed by their children.  Children, defined as individuals under 18 years of age by Connecticut State Statute, who use the Internet  unsupervised may be exposed to inappropriate or disturbing information and images. Parents are encouraged to  discuss the use of the Internet in relation to family values and boundaries with their children and teens and to  monitor their children/teen’s use of the Internet. 

To assist parents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has resources available at  https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/resources. Parents are encouraged to review this information with their  children. 

Public Access 

Users are cautioned that, because security in an electronic environment such as the Internet cannot be  guaranteed, all transactions, files and communications are vulnerable to unauthorized access and use and,  therefore, should be considered public. 

Internet access in the library is available on computers that are located in open public areas and are subject to  supervision. Staff is available to assist customers who need help finding information on the Internet. The  Library reserves the right to engage in monitoring activities, both electronic and non-electronic, at its sole  discretion and without further notice unless otherwise restricted by law. Such practices may include, but are  not limited to, those for the purpose of monitoring the nature and quality of our services, and the security and  the conduct of people on our premises. 

Adoption 

This Internet Safety Policy was adopted by the Board of New Milford Public Library at a public meeting,  following normal public notice, on April 20, 2023. 

Disclaimer: The New Milford Public Library makes no warranty, expressed or implied, for the timeliness,  accuracy, or usefulness for particular purpose of information accessed via the Internet.  

Approved by the Board of Trustees April 19, 2023