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#A-10 / Computer Use Policy

Meeting the informational needs of Library users is integral to the Mission of the UTHSCSA Library. The Library staff endeavor to develop collections, resources and services to meet these needs. It is within this context that the UTHSCSA Library offers access to the Internet and other electronic resources.

General Policy

• Meeting research and educational information needs is the primary reason the Library provides computer workstation 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 UTHSCSA'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 UTHSCSA faculty, staff, and students and walk-in users of the Library. Remote access to these digital resources is allowed only to UTHSCSA faculty, staff, and students.
• Personal computers and computer peripherals may not be physically attached to the Library's computers, networks or printers except in designated locations of the Library.
• Viewing of pornographic material may be grounds for sexual harassment charges by other users. Users of computers at the Library 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 UTHSCSA Handbook of Operating Procedures Policy 4.2.2 (http://www.uthscsa.edu/hop2000/word/4.2.2.doc).
• 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 Library building
• Syncing PDAs
• Unstructured navigation ("surfing") of the Internet to locate sites of interest and hone navigation skills
• Accessing electronic resources provided by the UTHSCSA Library, such as electronic journals, books, and databases
• Downloading of some files. Please ask for assistance at one of the Service Desks

Unacceptable Uses

• Games of any kind, including those played over the Internet
• Viewing of pornographic material

Internet

• 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 UTHSCSA is not responsible for the content, security or reliability of web sites outside the UTHSCSA domain.
• All persons accessing the Internet through U.T. System computers must abide by The University of Texas System Policy for the Use and Protection of Information Resources (BPM 53-02-96, available at http://www.utsystem.edu/bpm/53.htm) 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 Copyright Policy (http://www.utsystem.edu/OGC/IntellectualProperty/cprtpol.htm)
• 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.
• UTHSCSA personnel must abide by the UTHSCSA'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 UTHSCSA 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 Library's 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 Library's Service Desks.

Computers

• Eligible Users - Computers are available to everyone, including the general public. Priority use of computers is given to UTHSCSA 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 UTHSCSA 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.
• Laserprinters - 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 Library reserves 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.