Miami-Dade Public Library System

The Miami-Dade Public Library System provides access to the Internet to fulfill its mission:

To maintain and improve public library services reflecting the informational, educational and recreational needs of our diverse community.

Since the Internet is an unregulated global electronic network of information not under the control of Miami-Dade Public Library System, the Library is not responsible for the content or accuracy of information accessed or the availability of any given Internet site. Providing information through the Internet is not the same as selecting and purchasing materials for the Library's collection. Some information provided through the Internet may not meet the Library's selection criteria or guidelines. Users are cautioned to be aware that information may be inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, biased, inappropriate or offensive.

Internet workstations are located in public areas. Users need to be considerate and refrain from displaying materials that those around them might reasonably consider objectionable.

Users must abide by the Miami-Dade County Liability Disclaimer and User Agreement available at: http://www.miamidade.gov/info/disclaimer.asp Anyone who violates these rules may be asked by staff to leave the Library premises. Library staff may ask for assistance from the local police department if needed to enforce these rules.

In accordance with the Children's Internet Protection Act, (CIPA) (Pub. L. 106-554), Miami-Dade Public Library System uses filtering software on all computers. The filtering software will be temporarily disabled on the request of an adult library patron for lawful purposes. The Library does not disable the filtering software for minors.

Parents/guardians should be aware that filtering software does not prevent access to all inappropriate or objectionable materials and, thus, parents/guardians are responsible for what children view when using the Library. Staff members are unable to monitor or supervise access on computers in the Library.
Parents/guardians should instruct children NEVER to give out personal information (name, address, password, telephone number, credit card number) online.

The Library does play a role in assisting parents/guardians in understanding good Internet safety practices for their children and themselves. This Internet Safety and Safety Education Policy has been established for that purpose.

The Library will inform the public about good Internet safety practices by:

• Providing posters, book marks, and flyers on the topic.
• Providing information regarding Internet safety for parents/guardians and children on the Library Web Site.
• Providing links from the Library Web Site to other Internet safety sites from law enforcement agencies and other reputable organizations.
• Providing information regarding Internet safety for parents/guardians and children at scheduled Library programs.
  Through this policy, the Library hopes to promote safe use of the Internet and broaden users' awareness of the positive and negative aspects of Internet searching.