Information Commons - Policies

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Freedom of Information • Building Use Policies • Computer Use Policies • Other UA Policies Applicable in the Libraries

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Freedom of Information

The Library endorses the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, which supports access to information and opposes censorship, labeling, and restricting users' access to information of all kinds.

Library Building Use Policies

1. During daytime and evening hours, the University of Arizona Library’s buildings, collections, and facilities are available to everyone, including visitors. Children under the age of 15 MUST be accompanied by an adult, or making bona fide use of the government documents collection.

2. Between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., there is limited access to the Main Library & Information Commons:

   1. The Main Library & the Information Commons is restricted to current University of Arizona students, faculty and staff during these hours for the safety of our patrons and the security of our collections.

   2. During these times you must swipe your CatCard at the door to enter. You must bring your CatCard with you to gain entrance to the building during this period.

3. The Library Information Commons areas are NOT quiet study areas.

4. The 4th and 5th floors of the Main Library are quiet study areas.

5. Cell phones may be used on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors of the Main Library (including the Information Commons), and in the elevator lobbies only on the 4th and 5th floors. (more details on permissible cell phone use)

6. Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings. Smoking is also prohibited within 25 feet of all buildings. (UA Smoking Policy)

7. Food and drink restrictions: Nonalcoholic beverages in closed containers (cups with lids, cans or bottles with narrow openings, squeeze bottles, etc.) are permitted. Cups or glasses with wide mouths are NOT permitted. Messy food (i.e., food that is greasy, sticky, or crumbly) is not permitted. Keep all food and drink away from keyboards, books, and other Library materials. Anyone who is making a mess with food or drink of any kind will be asked to leave the Library and/or Information Commons.

8. The Library does not discriminate against customers on the basis of appearance.

9. Also see other UA policies applicable in the Libraries.

Library Computer Use Policies

1. Information Commons computers are available to anyone on a first come, first served basis. There are no time limits on using these computers, and there is no sign-up reservation policy. Exceptions to this general rule will be made when there is a wait for computers. UA students, faculty, and staff have priority on Information Commons computers. Be prepared to show a CatCard, or demonstrate in some other way (logging into Student Link, logging into a u.arizona.edu e-mail account) that you are affiliated with the UA. Anyone who can't do this will be presumed to be a community user and may be asked to relinquish the computer. In addition, when there is a wait for computers, anyone who is using a computer for recreational purposes only (such as for playing games, chat rooms, etc.) will be asked to relinquish the computer.

2. Anyone gone from a computer for more than 15 minutes may lose their station if others are waiting. Unattended belongings are not the responsibility of the Library.

3. Viewing Pornography on Public Computers in The University of Arizona Libraries and The Center for Creative Photography - Policy:

   Print handout [PDF]

   To the extent that it can do so under applicable laws, the Library endorses and enforces the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, (www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/librarybillrights.htm) which supports access to information and opposes censorship, labeling, and restricting users' access to information of all kinds.

   Viewing pornography or other controversial material is not, per se, illegal (with the exception of child pornography). However, Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3507 (www.azleg.state.az.us/ars/13/03507.htm) states that it is a violation of the law “to place explicit sexual material on public display.” Therefore, if and when Library staff become aware, either because they receive a complaint or because they themselves have witnessed the incident, that someone is viewing explicit sexual material from a computer in one of our Libraries, we will advise the person(s) that they appear to be in violation of the law, and if they persist, we will be forced to call the police.

   This policy applies both to Library computers and to users’ own laptops and other portable electronic devices, as long as the material on the screen is on public display.

   Definitions of “explicit sexual material” and “public display” are given in the law, see link above.

4. Information Commons and Library users are expected to respect copyright and intellectual property rights. For a summary of applicable laws, see the Copyright Guide.

5. The University of Arizona prohibits the use of its resources (computers, network, etc.) for commercial purposes, e.g., conducting business operations.

6. We do not supply customers with computer supplies or equipment (headphones, earphones, floppies, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, etc.). The only exception is adaptive equipment for use by customers with disabilities.

7. Some software will have “maximum simultaneous users” licenses, so not all software will be available to everyone at the same time; usage of this software remains on a first come, first serve basis.

8. Users may NOT load software on public computers in the Library and Information Commons computers.

9. UA faculty who need courseware or plugins made available in the Information Commons should contact the following:

   For Library/Information Commons computers:
   Dan Lee, Undergraduate Services Team, (520) 621-6433, leed@u.library.arizona.edu

For ILC Classrooms & ILC Media Center:
Jose Noriega, (520)626-1424, noriegaj@email.arizona.edu

10. Also see University of Arizona Library Public Ethernet Line Acceptable Use Policy

11. Also see Statement of Use of Library Systems

12. Also see Acceptable Use of Computers and Networks at the University of Arizona

13. Also see University of Arizona Computing Policies

 

Other UA policies Applicable in the Libraries

UA Policies and Procedures [Index]

• Animals in University Buildings:

  Customers: With the exception of service dogs or other service animals used to guide or assist persons with disabilities, no animals are allowed in the University of Arizona Libraries and the Center for Creative Photography.

  UA Employees: See Animals in University buildings (bottom of page under "Animals")

• Bicycles in University buildings [PDF] --- on p. 3, Restricted Parking Areas --- Bicycles shall not be parked or stored: a. in any University building (e.g. offices, residence halls, classrooms, or parking structures without a bicycle storage facility)

CatCard Policies

UA Student Policies & Procedures, including Codes of Conduct

UA Smoking Policy