The University of South Carolina Beaufort

SUBJECT: RESPONSIBLE LIBRARY COMPUTER USE
Number:
Issued by: Ellen Chamberlain, Director of the Libraries
Date: 02-05-96
Revised: 08-23-06

Access to resources on the Internet through library terminals is provided to support research and educational activities only. All library patrons who utilize library computers are expected to do so responsibly, respecting library property and the rights of others.

The library cannot control the information available over the Internet and is not responsible for its content. The Internet contains a wide variety of material, expressing many points of view. Not all sources provide information that is accurate, complete or current, and some may be offensive or disturbing to some viewers. Users should properly evaluate Internet resources according to their academic and research needs. Links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement by the library of the content or views contained therein.

The library respects the First Amendment and supports the concept of intellectual freedom. The library also endorses the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, which supports access to information and opposes censorship, labeling and/or restricting access to information. In accordance with this policy, the library does not use filters to restrict access to information on the Internet or Web. As with other library resources, restriction of a minor's access to the Internet or Web is the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian.

Many of the resources found on the Internet/Worldwide Web are copyright protected. Although the Internet is a different medium from printed text, ownership and intellectual property rights still exist. Users must check the documents for appropriate statements indicating ownership. Most of the electronic software and journal articles available on library servers and computers are also copyrighted. Users shall not violate the legal protection provided by copyrights and licenses held by the library.

U.S. Copyright Law and contractual license agreements govern the access, use and reproduction of the electronic resources that the University Libraries makes available to its users. Users shall not make copies of any licensed or copyrighted computer program found on a library computer.

“Fair Use” Guidelines:

Reproductions (print or electronic) made by users of the library’s electronic resources are governed by the Fair Use Section of U.S. Copyright Law, except when the resources are covered by license agreements (see below). Fair Use generally permits users to make reproductions for non-commercial, educational purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, scholarship and research. Reproductions are usually considered to be fair use if:

The use of the reproduced material is academic in nature, and for nonprofit, educational purposes.
The purpose of making reproductions is for time-shifting, i.e. to make materials available for study at the user's convenience, but not for archival purposes.
The reproduction is for a single copy or one original, as opposed to multiple copies.
The reproduction is reasonable in length given the nature of the material.

Reproductions (print or electronic) made by University Libraries staff for users of the library’s electronic resources are governed by the Section 108 of U.S. Copyright Law, "Reproduction by libraries and archives." As USCB and its libraries are publicly-supported, non-profit, and open to the public, library staff are permitted to provide users with reproductions of electronic resources provided that:

The reproduction is for no more than one article or other contribution to a copyrighted collection or periodical issue
The reproduction becomes the property of the user.
Library staff have no reason to believe that the reproduction will be used for any other purpose other than private study, scholarship or research.

LICENSE AGREEMENTS
The use of many electronic resources provided by the library is governed by license agreements negotiated between the library and publishers or third parties. Such licensing agreements impose even greater restrictions on use than copyright law. In general, these legally binding contracts allow students, staff, faculty, and other authorized users to access these resources for noncommercial, educational, scholarly and research purposes. They generally prohibit large-scale systematic downloading of articles or other information, sharing of articles or other information with individuals at other institutions, and using such articles or information for commercial purposes. In addition, users should be aware that publishers may monitor use of electronic resources to ensure that the terms of their licensing agreements are enforced.

Behavior that adversely affects the work of others and interferes with the ability of library staff to provide good service is considered inappropriate. It is expected that users of the libraries' public computers will be sensitive to the perspective of others and responsive to library staff's reasonable requests for changes in behavior and compliance with library and university policies. The library reserves the right to remove any user(s) from a computer if they are in violation of any part of this policy and may deny further access to library computers and/or other library resources for repeat offenders. The library will pursue infractions or misconduct through the campus disciplinary channels and/or law enforcement as appropriate.

Users are not permitted to:

Copy any copyrighted software provided by the university. It is a criminal offense to copy any software that is protected by copyright, and USCB will treat it as such.
Use licensed software in a manner inconsistent with the licensing arrangement
Copy, rename, alter, examine, or delete the files or programs of another person at USCB without permission
Use a computer with the intent to intimidate, harass, or display hostility toward others (e.g. sending offensive messages or prominently displaying material that others might find offensive such as vulgar language, explicit sexual material or material from hate groups)
Create, disseminate or run a self-replicating program ("virus"), whether destructive in nature or not
Use a computer for business purposes
Tamper with switch settings, move, reconfigure or do anything that could damage terminals, computers, printers or other equipment
Collect, read, or destroy output other than one’s own work without the permission of the owner
Use the computer account of another person with or without their permission unless it is designated for group work
Use software not provided by USCB
Access or attempt to access a host computer, either at USCB or through a network, without the owner's permission, and/or through use of log-in information belonging to another person
Download software from the Internet onto library computers, altering settings or files, and tampering with computer security in any way

Library patrons may print to a networked laser-jet printer which is located at the circulation desk.

Users are charged for printing no matter who supplies the paper. Mass production of club flyers, newsletters, posters, etc., is strictly prohibited. If multiple copies are desired users need to go to an appropriate copying facility such as a faculty printer or a local print shop. Contact a staff member when using the Color Laser Printer to avoid costly mistakes. The University Libraries reserve the right to restrict user printing based on quantity and/or content (e.g. materials related to running an outside business).

Users are responsible for retrieving materials printed from library computers in a timely fashion and for paying any charges incurred.

Users pay ten cents per page for printed copies, or five cents per page on used paper. Color copies cost $1.00 each.

In addition to standard printing options, some databases allow users to download Internet information to disk or email it to their personal email addresses.

Policy approved by the Faculty Library Committee
Date: 12-12-03
Policy approved by the Chancellor’s Cabinet
Date:

Last modified Thursday August 24, 2006