The San Mateo County Libraries has a goal to cultivate an active presence and create spaces that support discovery, enrich lives and uplift the community. This means we will deliver an easily accessible and rich online experience. The purpose of this policy is to set appropriate guidelines and terms of use for the San Mateo County Libraries website, and other related apps and online services.
San Mateo County Libraries has created and maintains our eLibrary at www.smcl.org and other related websites and online services. Some San Mateo County Libraries sites and related online services are provided via third-party contractors. Third-party contractors have additional policies, terms of use, etc., governing use of sites and services in addition to San Mateo County Libraries policies.
Privacy
When you visit San Mateo County Libraries websites, we automatically collect and store information to measure the number of visitors to different areas of the site to assist us in making the site more useful to you. The information that is automatically collected varies depending on the third-party contractor hosting the site.
Some of our sites and services require that you share additional information online in order to access them. San Mateo County Libraries may provide you with additional information via emails, etc., based on your use of our sites and related online services.
San Mateo County Libraries and its third-party contractors will not sell, lease or otherwise distribute or disclose your name, email address, postal address, telephone number, borrower records or other personal information for non-library purposes to outside parties unless required by law.
In accordance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), opens a new window, San Mateo County Libraries does not collect nor store any personal information online, even in aggregate, about children under the age of 13. We will never disclose a child's personal information without written approval from a parent or legal guardian or otherwise as compelled by law. In accordance with COPPA, we will only display a child's first name, last initial, location and/or age on our pages to announce contest winners and display user-submitted comments.
User-Generated Content
User-generated content on San Mateo County Libraries sites and related online services are the opinions of posters only, and publication of user-generated content does not imply an endorsement by San Mateo County Libraries. Submission of user-generated content implies the copyright owner’s permission to publish. San Mateo County Libraries third-party contractors have additional policies related to user-generated content.
Use of Content
Materials downloaded from San Mateo County Libraries websites and related online services may only be used for personal, educational, or research purposes. They may not be used for commercial purposes.
San Mateo County Libraries websites and related online services contain a wide range of content, which includes materials that are in the public domain as well as materials that are protected by copyright. San Mateo County Libraries cannot take responsibility for use of copyrighted materials from its site.
Linking
Our website contains links to external websites not maintained by the San Mateo County Libraries. These links are provided only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by San Mateo County Libraries or any association with its operators.
Some of the criteria considered when selecting linked sites include:
- The primary intent of the website is to educate or inform and the site does not charge for access.
- The site's owner or sponsor is easily identifiable, and contact information is provided.
- The site does not promote a specific religious, political, or social agenda.
- The site provides timely/current information or information with historical value.
- The organization, information and services provided are consistently of high quality.
Accessibility
We are committed to ensuring accessibility of our website and related online services for people with disabilities. All reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the pages of our websites comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 794d), opens a new window. Section 508 requires that individuals with disabilities, who are members of the public seeking information or services from a government agency, have access to and use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.
Disclaimer
San Mateo County Libraries does not promise nor guarantee that any of its websites or contractors’ websites, online services, the servers that make them available, or any links to other websites are free of viruses or other harmful components. In addition, we disclaim any and all responsibility or liability for the accuracy, reliability, and legality of materials found. In no event shall the San Mateo County Libraries or the San Mateo County Libraries employees or affiliated entities be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, exemplary or punitive damages, or loss of revenue or profits, arising from, or directly or indirectly related to, the use of, or the inability to use, the San Mateo County Libraries websites or the content, materials and functions related thereto.
Approved by the Library JPA Governing Board on November 7, 2016.
