POLICY:

Due to the vast proliferation of Web sites and the ease of finding them through common search engines, the Oakland Public Library must be very selective in adding links to external Web sites from its public Web site.

Links to external Web sites are not meant as an endorsement or recommendation of any of the content on those sites.

The Oakland Public Library will consider linking to external Web sites according to the following criteria:

• Non-Commercial, unless they provide content pertinent to Oakland and the needs of Oakland Public Library users
• Complementary to Oakland Library collections, services and programs
• Consistent with the mission and goals of the Oakland Public Library
• In accordance with Oakland Public Library's Collection Development Policy
• Meets a strong informational need for a large number of our users

PROCEDURES:

Web Page content owners who wish to add an external link should base their decision on the above criteria. They may initiate a new external link by contacting the Web Administrator via e-mail at oplweb@oaklandlibrary.org. The Web Administrator will add the link as requested. Content owners will be expected to check each link at least quarterly to ensure that it remains current and to promptly communicate any changes to the Web Administrator.

If a request to add an external link originates from an outside source, the request should be forwarded to the designated content owner for evaluation. If the appropriate content owner is not known, the request can be forwarded to the Web Administrator to pass on to the content owner or, in cases that need further clarification, to the Web Page Editors (Manager, Technical and Computer Services and Community Relations Coordinator). The content owner or, in special cases, the Web Page Editors, will make a decision and respond to the requestor. If approved, the designated staff member will inform the Web Administrator.

10/30/04