SEMINOLE COMMUNITY LIBRARY

AT ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE, SEMINOLE CAMPUS

COMPUTING RESOURCES POLICY

1. Computing resources include all computers, related equipment, software, data,

and local area networks for which the City and College are responsible, as well as networks throughout the world to which the City and College provide computer access. Users are responsible for legal, moral, and ethical conduct in the use of computing resources. The Library reserves the right to limit use of computers based on overall demand.

2. Public use computers are available on a first come/first served basis. Normally there is no time limit. However during times of heavy demand library staff may request patrons to limit their time on the computers to allow others access. Also patrons using computers for purely recreational activities may be asked to yield their computers to allow them to be used for academic and research projects and related communication and information access activities. A limited number of computers in the “common area” on the second floor are designated solely for academic/research/communication/information use (recreational gaming not permitted).

3. Computers in the children’s room on the first floor are for the exclusive use of preschool and elementary-age children, their parents, and caregivers. If such children are using computers in the “common area” of the second floor while computers are available in the children’s room, library staff may require them to transfer to the children’s room computers (accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver) during periods of high demand.

4. Computers in the teen room (“The Zone”) on the second floor are for the exclusive use of middle school and high school students. If such students are using computers in the “common area” of the second floor while computers are available in the teen room, library staff may require them to transfer to the teen room computers during periods of high demand.

5. Disabled patrons have first priority use of computer stations for the disabled. During periods of high demand, if an able-bodied patron is using a disabled computer station, library staff may require that patron to yield to a disabled patron.

6. During periods of high demand, patrons are asked to wait in line at the reference desk to insure fair and orderly access to the computers as they become available. Patrons waiting in line have priority over patrons who may have been waiting in other parts of the building.

7. Patrons may not reserve a computer or prevent other patrons from using an unoccupied computer station.

8. If a patron leaves a computer unattended for five minutes or more, library staff will consider that computer to be vacated and may assign it to another user. Personal belongings left at the computer will be removed and kept at the nearest service desk.

9. Patrons should report any computer malfunctions to the nearest library staff member. Under no circumstances may a patron place an “out of order” sign on any library computer.