The Freeport Memorial Library, as part of its mission to provide information services to the community, offers wireless "WiFi" access to the Library's Internet services for properly equipped laptops, and other wireless devices.

While you are welcome to use your laptop, or other wireless devices, in the Library, you may not connect to the Library's network or print using a library printer. Your use of your equipment in the Library is subject to all rules and regulations included in the Library's Computer Use and Internet Policies. The Library is not responsible any loss of data, or for theft or damage to personal property, including laptops.

When you use the Internet in the Library, you are accepting the Library's Computer Use, and Internet Access Policies. Please see a Reference Librarian for a written copy of the full policies.

Please note the following excerpts from the Internet Use Policy:

It is the policy of the Freeport Memorial Library 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;
• prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and
• comply with the Neighborhood Children's Internet Protection Act. (See Definitions)

All users, especially parents and children, should be aware that message boards and chat rooms are public forums, and anything posted there has the potential to be viewed by a great number of people. Internet users, especially parents and children, are advised to avoid giving out personal information (name, address, phone number, etc.) over the Internet through E-mail, chat rooms, message boards, or other means of electronic communication.

The Freeport Memorial Library neither censors nor protects adult users from information they may find offensive. The Internet and its available resources may contain material of a controversial nature.

Adult users access the Internet at their own discretion and are responsible for any access points they reach.

Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding a user's activities. However, the Freeport Memorial Library will not release information on the use of specific Internet resources by members of the public except as required by law or necessary for the proper operation of the Library.

Prohibited Use: Users may not:

1. Use the Library's Internet connection as a staging ground to gain unauthorized access to the Library's networks or computer systems or to any other network or computer system.
2. Obstruct the work of others by consuming gratuitously large amounts of system resources or by crashing any Library computer system.
3. Make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software.
4. Make any attempt to alter software configurations in a malicious manner.
5. Make any attempt to cause degradation of system performance.
6. Use any Library wireless Internet connection for illegal or criminal purpose.
7. Use the Library's workstations to knowingly or recklessly post false, defamatory, or private information about a person or organization, or to harass another person or to engage in personal attacks, including prejudicial or discriminatory attacks.
8. Engage in any activity which is deliberately and maliciously offensive, libelous or slanderous.
9. Represent yourself as another person for purposes of fraud or other illegal activity.
10. Intentionally access, or expose other Library users or staff to information or graphics that are deemed obscene, or child pornography, or material deemed harmful to minors; or show others how to do the same.
11. Users will also follow additional regulations posted in the area where technology is in use.

ILLEGAL ACTS INVOLVING LIBRARY RESOURCES MAY BE SUBJECT TO PROSECUTION BY LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL OFFICIALS.

THE LIBRARY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE AN INTERNET SESSION AT ANY TIME.

Users found committing a prohibited act will be subject to the same penalties provided for in the Library's Rules of Behavior and Maintenance of Public Order.

Definitions by Federal Law

Inappropriate Material
Visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography or to any material deemed harmful to minors.

Obscene
The federal obscenity statute does not itself contain an express definition of obscenity. However, in the landmark case of Miller v. California, 413 U.S. 15 (1973), the Supreme Court established a test/definition for obscenity that is now implicitly incorporated into the federal statute: (a) whether "the average person, applying contemporary community standards" would find the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest; (b) whether the work depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct specifically defined by the applicable state or federal law; and (c) whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

Child Pornography
The federal child pornography statute, 18 U.S.C. ' 2256, defines "child pornography" as "any visual depiction" of a minor under-18 years old engaging in "sexually explicit conduct," which includes "actual or simulated" sexual intercourse, bestiality, masturbation, sadistic or masochistic abuse, or "lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area." The statute's definition includes not only actual depictions of sexually explicit conduct involving minors, but also images that "appear to be" minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

Material Deemed Harmful to Minors
The Act defines "harmful to minors" as "any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that (i) taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex or excretion; (ii) depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and (iii) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors."

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