Meeting the information needs of library users is integral to the Mission of the University of Texas 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 UTHSC Libraries offer access to the Internet and other electronic resources. Any health-related information searching is a legitimate use of these resources.
General Policy
- Priority use of computers is given to UTHSC affiliates, area health professionals, and users seeking medical information. Health Science Center faculty, staff, and students must log in with their UTHSCSA Domain Username and Password.
- A limited number of guest computers are available to the general public. At the Briscoe Library, non-UTHSC users must sign in at the Circulation Desk and are limited to a maximum of 1 hour per day. At the Ramirez Library, non-UTHSC users must sign in at the Information Desk. Additional time may be granted persons researching health-related topics. UTHSC users may use guest computers for quick lookups without logging in.
- 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.
- Library computers may not be used for illegal, unauthorized, unethical, or commercial purposes. Please see the UTHSC’s Computer Ethics Policy and the Texas Penal Code, Chapter 33. Computer Crimes (http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.33.htm).
- Authorized users of commercially licensed digital products such as electronic journals, books, and databases include UTHSC faculty, staff, and students and walk-in users of the UTHSC Libraries. Remote access to these digital resources is allowed only to UTHSC 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.
- 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.
- Library computer users are discouraged from storing personal files and documents on the Libraries’ computers. Computer users should save their work frequently to a USB drive, to a writable optical disc (i.e. CD/DVD), to an online storage service, or email documents to themselves.
- All user data is erased from the Libraries’ public computers at least once a day and whenever a computer is rebooted.
- Viewing of pornographic material may be grounds for sexual harassment charges by other users. Users of computers at the UTHSC 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 UTHSC 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 15 must be accompanied by a supervising adult at all times. An adult must sit at the same computer workstation with the child.
Acceptable Uses
- Accessing electronic resources provided by the UTHSC Libraries, such as electronic journals, books, and databases.
- Use of Internet resources for academic, personal and/or professional study, communication, and/or networking.
- Accessing the campus wireless network 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 Ondawave wireless network. Wireless networking is not available at the UTHSC-Downtown Library.
- Syncing PDAs, as well as downloading and installing PDA applications.
Unacceptable Uses
- Any viewing, listening, 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. See the UTHSC Handbook of Operating Procedures Policy 5.8.11 (http://www.uthscsa.edu/hop2000/5.8.11.pdf).
- 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 UTHSC is not responsible for the content, security or reliability of web sites outside the uthscsa.edu domain.
- 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.
- 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/int124.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)
- UTHSC personnel must abide by the HSC’s Handbook of Operating Procedures Internet Use policy 5.2.8 (http://www.uthscsa.edu/hop2000/5.2.8.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 UTHSC 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.
- No envelopes, labels or transparencies may be placed in the laser printers. 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.
Policy effective June 1, 2010
Revisions approved by Rajia Tobia, AMLS, Executive Director of Libraries, on 5/15/2010.
