Internet Use Policy

Mission Statement

Lakeland Library Cooperative strengthens member libraries in eight west Michigan counties by providing the means to share resources, services, and expertise for the benefit of individuals and communities.  --Mission Statement

Policy Statement

In accordance with its mission statement, Lakeland Library Cooperative has developed this Internet Use Policy, which serves as the guide for Lakeland's provision of Internet access, as well as a foundation on which member libraries may build local Internet policies.

Lakeland Library Cooperative makes uncensored Internet access available to all member libraries.  Following this, Lakeland will monitor only information created by Lakeland; Lakeland will not monitor content, accuracy, or appropriateness of resources found via Lakeland's Internet connection.

Lakeland provides Internet access as one means to enhance local library services.  It is not intended to supplant traditional library information services; rather, when combined with traditional services and the expertise of local librarians, Internet access complements it.

Further, Lakeland encourages Internet users to be responsible information consumers.  As such, they must:

• question the validity, accuracy, and currency of information retrieved, as Lakeland Library Cooperative is not responsible for the content nor does it monitor the information made available via the Internet.
  
• use the Internet at their own discretion, as the Internet contains materials which may be deemed controversial, inappropriate, disturbing, and/or illegal; Lakeland does not restrict access to or protect users from information which they might find offensive.
  
• supervise their children's Internet sessions; Lakeland is not responsible for children's use of the Internet.
  
• adhere to any applicable copyright laws.
  
• understand that connections to specific sites on the Internet may be unavailable for technical reasons beyond local control, including an overloaded host computer at the destination site, a new Internet address for the destination site, or restricted/passworded authorization at the destination site.