Patron Computer Use and Internet Policy 
Putnam County District Library (PCDL) provides electronic access to the Internet.  The library maintains the 
connection to provide free and equal access to information for education, professional and personal 
development purposes for all citizens of Putnam County.  All users are expected to read and understand 
this policy prior to using the library’s Internet resources.  

 
DISCLAIMER 
The Internet itself is a resource not regulated by library staff or any government or commercial entity.  
Therefore, some information found on the Internet may be controversial, inaccurate, misleading or 
objectionable.  Information available through the Internet is not guaranteed by PCDL or Ohio Public 
Information Network (OPLIN) to be accurate, authoritative, factual, or complete.  All users of this service 
agree to hold the library and/or OPLIN and/or any local internet provider harmless from any and all claims, 
losses, damages, obligations or liabilities, directly or indirectly relating to this service and /or the 
networked information available via this service.  

STAFF ASSISTANCE 
The library staff is trained in use of databases, computer applications purchased by the library and OPLIN, 
and basic information retrieval via the Internet. Staff will provide limited assistance for basic start-up 
procedures. The library staff may not be familiar with websites or non-library applications. If additional 
assistance is required an appointment must be made.  

TIME LIMITS 
If others are waiting to use the computer, use is limited to one (1) hour.  At the end of one (1) hour, Library 
staff will ask the patron to end his or her session. Patrons playing Internet games will be removed from 
the computer at any time if others are waiting to conduct work or school projects.  Any exceptions will be 
made at the discretion of library staff, upon patron request.  

FILTERS 
In accordance with various state and federal laws, the library maintains web content filtering software on 
all public Internet access computers.  This is mandated to protect our patrons from objectionable and/or 
obscene images and text, as well as images and text that are harmful to children.  Any user over the age 
of 18 is permitted to request that this software be disabled if it interferes with their research purposes.  
Requests must be made to staff. 

PRINTERS 
All computer workstations have printing capabilities.  There is a charge per page printed. All computers 
are set to print in Black and White.  To print in color, please ask a staff member for assistance. 
Patrons are responsible for all printouts generated during their session.  Please use the print preview 
function to verify printouts. 

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY 
Minor children under the age of 18 must have parental or legal adult guardian permission before accessing 
the Internet at the Putnam County District Library.   
Parents and legal guardians are responsible for all materials their children access from the library, including 
information and material accessed via the Internet.   
It is expected that parents and/or legal adult guardians realize there is good and bad on the Internet, and 
will instruct their child on what they may access while using the library’s computer resources. 

GUIDELINES FOR USE 
The following uses of Putnam County District Library’s computer connection are prohibited and may result 
in the loss of Internet privileges: 
1. Accessing any obscene and illegal materials 
2. Unauthorized, illegal or unethical purposed, including sending, receiving or displaying text or 
graphics which may reasonably be construed as obscene 
3. Harassment of other users 
4. Unauthorized copying of copyright-protected material 
5. Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the library or others 
6. Modifying or gaining access to files, passwords, or data belonging to others; seeking unauthorized 
access to any computer system, or damaging or altering software components of any network or 
database 

EMAIL & CHAT 
The library does not offer electronic mail accounts.  Patrons may access their existing e-mail accounts from 
the library terminals. 

DOWNLOADING AND SAVING 
Using personal software programs on any PCDL computer is prohibited.  Patrons may use a USB Key to 
save files. 
It is important to conserve bandwidth. Downloading may result in reduced bandwidth, which will slow 
down Internet access.  Users will be asked to stop downloading if library business and/or other patron 
access is affected.  
 

Effective 8/12/2020