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Computer Use Policy (#A-10)

Meeting the informational needs of library users is integral to the Mission of the Health Science Center Libraries. The library staff endeavor to develop collections, resources and services to meet these needs. It is within this context that the UT HSC Libraries offer access to the Internet and other electronic resources.

General Policy

  • Meeting research and educational information needs is the primary reason theUT HSC Libraries provide computer workstation and wireless access. Any health-related information searching is a legitimate use of these resources.
  • Library computers may not be used for illegal, unauthorized, unethical, or commercial purposes. Please see the UT HSC's Computer Ethics Policy and the Texas Penal Code, Chapter 33. Computer Crimes (http://www.uthscsa.edu/computing/content/helpdesk/statementofethics.html).
  • Authorized users of commercially licensed digital products such as electronic journals, books, and databases include UT HSC faculty, staff, and students and walk-in users of the UT HSC Libraries. Remote access to these digital resources is allowed only to UT HSC faculty, staff, and students.
  • Personal computers and computer peripherals (other than personal storage devices) may not be physically attached to the Libraries' computers, networks or printers except in designated locations.
  • Library computer users are discouraged from storing personal files and documents on the Libraries' computers. All user data is erased from the Libraries' public computers at least once a day and, in most cases, whenever a computer is rebooted. Users should store and/or backup their documents to a USB drive, to a writable optical disc (i.e. CD/DVD), to an online storage service, or email documents to themselves.
  • Viewing of pornographic material may be grounds for sexual harassment charges by other users. Users of computers at the UT HSC Libraries should be aware of the public nature of shared facilities and should take care not to display images or play sounds that could create an atmosphere of harassment for others. For more information, please see the UT HSC Handbook of Operating Procedures Policy 4.2.2 (http://www.uthscsa.edu/hop2000/4.2.2.pdf). In addition, the university's Internet Access Policy (http://www.uthscsa.edu/hop2000/5.5.10.pdf) states that "Accessing, posting, or sharing any racist, sexist, threatening, obscene, or otherwise objectionable material (i.e., visual, textual, or auditory entity) is strictly prohibited."
  • Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a supervising adult at all times.

Acceptable Uses

  • Accessing the campus wireless LAN anywhere in the Libraries. At the Briscoe and Ramirez libraries, users with UTHSCSA network accounts may connect to the HSCair wireless network without preregistration. At the TRP and Laredo libraries, users must pre-register their laptop with a Tech Support Representative (TSR) in order to use the 0ndawave wireless network. Wireless networking is not available at the UT HSC Library Downtown.
  • Syncing PDAs, as well as downloading and installing PDA applications.
  • Accessing electronic resources provided by the UT HSC Libraries, such as electronic journals, books, and databases.
  • Use of Internet resources for academic, personal, and/or professional study, communication, and/or networking

Unacceptable Uses

  • Any downloading or copying of material that constitutes copyright infringement, including making unlicensed copies of copyrighted CDs or DVDs
  • Installation or use of unauthorized peer-to-peer software, including those listed in guidelines published by the HSC Information Security Office at the linked URL.
  • Viewing of material considered to be pornographic

Internet Use

  • The Internet contains a wealth of valuable information resources. However, users should be aware that some information may be inaccurate, outdated or offensive. Library users are advised to exercise judgment and discrimination when evaluating the usefulness and reliability of material found on the Internet. The UT HSC is not responsible for the content, security or reliability of web sites outside the uthscsa.edu domain.
  • All persons accessing the Internet through UT System computers must abide by The UT System Information Resources Use and Security Policy (UTS 165, available at http://www.utsystem.edu/policy/policies/uts165.html) and all Texas state laws and regulations concerning use of state property and computing resources.
  • Copyrighted works are protected regardless of the medium in which they are created or reproduced; thus, copyright extends to digital works and works transformed into digital format. Any copyright statements or symbols should be retained when printing a digital document. Please see the UT System Policy on "Use of Copyright Material" (UTS 107, available at http://www.utsystem.edu/policy/policies/uts107.html)
  • Users should be aware that the Internet is not a secure medium and that third parties may be able to obtain information regarding users' activities.
  • UT HSC personnel must abide by the HSC's Handbook of Operating Procedures Internet Use policy 5.5.10 (http://www.uthscsa.edu/hop2000/5.5.10.pdf)

Printing and Digital Transmission of Documents

  • There is a per page charge for printing in the Library. The charge is 10 cents per page for TRAC accounts and 11 cents per page for departmental accounts.
  • A UT HSC ID or Texas Driver License can be used to create a TRAC account to pay for printing. Coins or bills cannot be used.
  • In some cases, users can download information to a disk instead of printing. Many Library databases allow users to e-mail search results instead of printing. Please ask for assistance at one of the Libraries' Service Desks. License agreements for some electronic journals, books, and other documents stipulate that users may not send a digital copy of an article or other document to other users. If in doubt about an authorized use of a commercially published article, book, or other document, please ask for assistance at one of the Libraries' Service Desks.

Computers

  • Eligible Users -- Computers are available to everyone, including the general public. Priority use of computers is given toUT HSC students, staff and faculty and employees of University Hospital and the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. Non-affiliated users may be asked to yield to UT HSC personnel.
  • Time Limits -- Computer use is limited to 30 minutes when others are waiting.
  • Reservations -- Computers may only be reserved if they have unique software or peripherals attached to them.
  • E-mail -- University sponsored e-mail programs are allowed and supported. Other web based e-mail programs may be utilized, but library staff may not be able to assist with problems.
  • Personal software -- The decision to load personal software is made by library staff on a case by case basis. Personal software may be loaded with the assistance of library staff and will routinely be cleaned off the hard drives of computers.
  • Laser printers -- No envelopes, labels or transparencies may be placed in the laserprinters. Users may insert their own letter or legal size paper into the Manual Feed tray only.

Compliance

The HSC Libraries reserve the right to take appropriate action to ensure compliance with this policy. Library staff have the right to determine appropriateness of workstation use and can, at any time, require the patron to leave the workstation.

Revisions approved by Mary Moore, Ph.D., Director of Libraries, on 6/11/2007.
Revisions approved by Rajia Tobia, AMLS, Executive Director of Libraries, on 11/10/2008 and updated on 1/2/2009.