Howard County Community Net Purpose Statement
The purpose of the Howard County Community Net (HCCN) is to provide a community forum and resource of local and regional information for those interested in Howard County.

Purpose of the HCCN Development Policy
The development of HCCN is undertaken by library staff, following the guidelines of this document. This policy also informs the public of the principles used for selecting information and web sites.

Responsibility
The Board of Trustees delegates to the Director the overall responsibility for selecting library materials and services. The Director in turn delegates responsibility to qualified staff. If an application to be included in HCCN is denied, the entity or individual may appeal such denial by filing a written request directly to the Library Director within 30 days of the denial. The Library Director shall then make a final determination.

Reconsideration Policy
The Library Board of Trustees believes that individuals may reject for themselves web sites of which they do not approve; however, they do not have the right to restrict the freedom of others to use these web sites. Nevertheless, the Library allows residents of Howard County to request that information or web sites in HCCN be reviewed for reconsideration. The Systems Administrator, Director and Assistant Director will review the material in question to evaluate whether it complies with the development policy. The Systems Administrator will then provide the final determination in writing to the patron within 30 days of receipt of the written request for reconsideration.

Principles of Development
HCCN is dynamic and will be continually updated and expanded to better serve Howard County. KHCPL will seek to include material in HCCN that is relevant to Howard County and is accurate, readable or understandable, suitable for the intended audience and provides documentation of source material where necessary.

KHCPL has editorial responsibility for documents originating from the HCCN server but does not act as a publisher or editor of information from other sources. Final approval for the creation of direct links to web sites, the creation of web pages, and the loading of information on the HCCN server resides with qualified staff of KHCPL. Beyond the initial link, KHCPL and HCCN have no responsibility for information content on the network.

While businesses may have a web presence on HCCN, e-commerce may not be transacted on the HCCN server by for-profit or not-for-profit organizations, nor may they sell access to their information on the HCCN server.

Since KHCPL receives public funds, it should not refuse to include organizations and information in HCCN simply because they are controversial. Furthermore, no information or web site will be excluded because of the race, national origin, color, gender, personal history, or the political, religious, or social views of the organization or creator. However, links to web sites that use obscene, offensive, abusive or otherwise objectionable language, images or material that do not meet community standards will not be permitted. Illegal sites will also be excluded.

Residents of Howard County may request that the Library provide specific information or web site in HCCN. Such materials may be added provided that they meet the HCCN principles of development.

The Library regularly re-evaluates HCCN and may remove information or web sites because materials are out-of-date, poorly maintained, rarely used, or inconsistent with current development criteria.

Disclaimer
The fact that an organization is permitted to display information or a link in HCCN does not constitute an endorsement of the organization's policies or beliefs by KHCPL or HCCN.

HCCN makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for service it is providing. HCCN will not be responsible for any damages users suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misdeliveries, or service interruptions caused by its negligence or user errors or omissions. Use of any information obtained via the network is at the users own risk. HCCN specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through its services.


8/27/2001