Internet Policy

The Internet is an international network of public and private computers which increases availability of resources and provides access to information beyond regular library resources. The Valparaiso Community Library does not guarantee the accuracy, authenticity or currency of the information found by the user. It is the responsibility of the user to evaluate information found on the Internet.

Ethical/Legal Use

The Valparaiso Community Library does not restrict Internet access or protect users from encountering images or ideas that are controversial or inappropriate, however people may not use library computers for illegal purposes. Unacceptable use includes, but not limited to, copyright infringement and accessing pornography. Sexually explicit or sexually suggestive (obscene/lewd) material access and/or viewing is prohibited. Illegal acts involving Library computing resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state, or federal authorities.  

Computers should be used in accordance with ethical standards of the library. As a patron of the library you are expected to follow these standards which refrain from:

1.      Use of the library network to engage in any illegal or fraudulent activity

2.      Save or download files onto the computers' hard drive

3.      Publicly display images which other library patrons may find offensive

4.      View or download any sexually explicit material (specifically pornography)

Limitation of Liability

Violators of this policy may be removed from the Library building and may have their library privileges revoked. The undersigned acknowledges that he/she has read and understands the Valparaiso Community Library Internet Agreement. The undersigned further acknowledges and agrees that the library assumes no liability for material found on the Internet or any damage arising from invasion of privacy in their user's computer accounts, programs, or files.

Privacy Policy

Web Site Privacy Policy

This is how we will handle information we learn about you from your visit to the Library’s Web site:

When you visit our Web site, we collect and store only the following information:

• the address (IP) of your computer or your Internet provider

• the date and time you access our site

• the Internet address of the Web site which referred you to our site

We use this information to measure the number of visitors to the different sections of our site and to help us make our site more useful to you.

Web site data is separate from "Your Account" information. In other words, we can’t look up your library card number and see where you have been on the Web.

The Library cannot be responsible for your privacy when you disclose information to outside websites. It is your responsibility to protect your personal information. Do not allow automatic logins to Web-based e-mail, do close the Web browser when finished with a session, or do log off from a session, etc.

We will not sell, rent or otherwise distribute or disclose your e-mail address, mailing address, phone, number, borrower records or other personal information to outside parties unless required to do so by court order.