Medford Library Computer Usage Policies
For USC Lancaster students, Medford Library's computers are covered
under the campus computer use policies posted at http://usclancaster.sc.edu/IT/ITpolicy.htm.
Non-students, aged 18 and above, are allowed to use the public
computers on Medford Library's first floor. Read below for Medford
Library's policies for non-student use of computer resources.
Community Patron
Computer Use
Policies and Procedures
(Effective September 7, 2004)
Community User Definition
Community
Library Users – defined as all patrons who are
not current USC students – are allowed access to Medford
Library’s public computers for the purpose of consulting
the library’s Internet-based paid database subscriptions,
checking/sending e-mail, and accessing the Internet. Community
patrons are not allowed access to any other campus computing
resources, including the Academic Success Center lab.
Downloading and Printing
Community users may download information found on library computers
to personal e-mail accounts or to floppy-disks/CD. Only one copy
per item may be printed free-of-charge at the public printer.
Use by Minors
The library limits usage to adults
aged 18 and over. Children and other community users under age
18 may use the public computers but must be accompanied by a
parent or responsible adult during the entire time they are using
the computers. Underage users must use the same computer that
has been assigned to their accompanying adult.
Three-User Limit/Time Restrictions
Community patrons
may only sign up for one computer at a time. In order to protect
USCL students’ priority in terms of
campus computing resources, only three community users will
be allowed to use the public computers at one time. During times
of peak student demand, a one-hour time limit will be enforced
for community users. The library reserves the right to limit
the number of community users and duration of use during times
of peak demand.
Sign-In/Out
Unless they simply want to look
up a book using the LIBRARY ONLINE CATALOG (which can be accomplished without
login-in at a computer on the circulation desk), community computer
users will be required to sign-in/out at the front circulation
desk. Library staff will indicate on a log sheet the time the
community user began their session and request a driver’s license or picture ID from the community
user to be retained at the circulation desk and returned at the
end of the session. Additionally, a community user will be asked
to read and sign an agreement requiring proper use of the University’s
computing resources.
Once the sign-in is completed, library staff will give the community
user one of three laminated Community User Cards, providing them
with a community username and password. Community users will
be instructed to place this card in a holder located on the top
of public computer monitors while they are using the library’s
computer. When they are finished, the patron will be reminded
to logout and the library staff will return their picture ID,
noting the time the session ended. An automatic time-out on the
computer will be set to automatically log patrons off after 10
minutes of non-activity on the computer.
Damage
It is the responsibility of every user to act in such a manner
as not to cause damage to the equipment and systems. Accidental
damage caused by other parties should be reported as soon as
possible so that corrective action may be taken.
Adult Content, Music, or Sound Effects
Internet
users are discouraged from accessing material which could be
offensive or disturbing to others in the vicinity of the computer
they are using; this includes, but is not limited to, adult content
(either graphical or textual), music or sounds effects.
Prohibited Use
Community Users may not:
- Use games or word processing or other applications other
than those appropriately designated within these policies;
- Use Internet chat or instant messaging;
- Use the computing resources for online gambling;
- Participate in income-generating activities (e.g., using
the library computers as an “office” in a business
venture);
- Install programs on the hard drive, manipulate any files
on the Windows Desktop, or configure/change any settings;
- Disseminate unsolicited mass email (spam);
- Use computing resources for harassment, including transmission
of violent, threatening, discriminatory, defaming, obscene,
or unlawful material; or
- Copy or distribute unauthorized software or other copyrighted
material.
Violations of community patron user policies and procedures
will result in a review of a patron’s user privileges,
resulting, most likely, in a revocation of those privileges .
Violators of local, state, and federal laws may be subject to
arrest.
