Children’s Internet Use

As part of Howard County Library System’s (HCLS) mission of delivering equal opportunity in education for everyone, we offer high-speed unfiltered access for customers to the Internet.

The Internet is an essential component of HCLS’ commitment to equal opportunity in education.
HCLS is an Internet access provider, providing access to Internet-based resources consistent with its mission with respect to print resources and audio/visual resources.

Because of this, all customers, including children, have access to the internet when visiting your Library. As with all Library resources, parents or guardians are responsible for monitoring their children’s use of the Internet. This includes but is not limited to physically being with your child when they are accessing the internet, providing them with kid-friendly websites, such as pbskids or National Geographic Kids, and teaching them the basics of internet literacy to help them recognize when a website may be untrustworthy or dangerous.

For a list of online resources your children can access during their time at the Library, they can visit the Digital Library page under the Children tab. or click here.

We hope to provide and encourage a safe and enjoyable learning environment during your children’s time at the Library.

Internet Use Guidelines and Policy

Not all sources available through the Internet are accurate, complete, current, or legal. Neither are they always philosophically acceptable to every individual.

The library acknowledges its obligation under Section 23-506.1 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland to adopt and implement policies and procedures to prevent minors from obtaining access through the Internet or any other interactive computer service to materials that are obscene or constitute child pornography. Further, HCLS’ Internet use policy prohibits the viewing of pornographic images. Procedures should encourage access to sites consistent with the HCLS’ purpose. HCLS, however, is not and cannot be responsible for what people may find when using Internet-based resources. As with print resources and audio/visual resources, the customer must ultimately control his/her own access to the information available.

Library staff members will actively intervene if they observe anyone accessing sites that appear to be obscene or pornographic, or if others report such behavior to them. Customers will be asked to exit such web sites immediately; further action may be taken.

While customers may download information onto USB flash drives, no software may be loaded onto the Library’s computers.

The President and CEO shall assure that effective procedures are in existence to implement this Internet Use Policy of the Library.