Acceptable Use of Electronic Resources

Guidelines for the Appropriate and Responsible Use of Electronic Resources

Instructional Resources & Technology is a collaborative system of library services, instructional technology, and instructional development whose aim is to support teaching and learning at Austin Community College by providing the excellent staff, resources, instruction and services needed by our community of users.

Access to the Internet enables Library Services to enhance its existing collections to include ideas, information and commentary from around the world. In accessing this wealth of information, individual users take responsibility for complying with ACC acceptable use documents, ACC Administrative Rules, and local, state and federal laws.

Library Services does not limit access to materials or protect users from materials they may find offensive. Library Services does not accept responsibility for the content of sites accessible through the Internet, nor is it responsible for content of sources accessed through secondary links. [ See Library Services Values Statement. ]

General Information || Access || Printing || Copyright

GENERAL INFORMATION

Library computing resources are available to current ACC students, faculty and staff.
These computers are to be used primarily for college-related projects by ACC students, faculty, and staff. Priority is given to course-related use and patrons may be asked to yield to others with those needs. The use of these resources for commercial activity is prohibited.
Internet-based resources and software applications may be used for lawful purposes only. Violation of local, state or federal laws, such as those regarding pornography, copyright, theft, vandalism, violation of personal privacy, and unauthorized access to computing resources, may result in arrest and/or prosecution.
All users agree to refrain from conduct which produces an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or study environment. Policies of the ACC Board of Trustees regarding sexual, racial, and other forms of harassment, as well as standards of conduct for ACC students, staff and faculty are specified in the ACC Student Handbook, Employee Handbook, and Faculty Handbook. Violation of ACC Board policies may result in penalties under College regulations.

ACCESS

An ACC Student ID or ACC- Faculty/Staff ID must be presented when requested by Library staff.
Use of computer workstations may be restricted to posted time limits at the discretion of Library staff.
Other limits may be imposed to respond to increased demands for workstations.
Adding, deleting, or altering computer hardware/software or settings is prohibited.

PRINTING

Users are limited to printing the posted number of pages.
See additional printing information
Additional documents, files or e-mail messages may be downloaded for printing or viewing at a later time.
Users are responsible for providing their own portable storage devices.

Copyright Law (title 17, U.S. Code) prohibits the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted materials, except as permitted by the principles of "fair use". Except as allowed by those principles, individuals should not copy or distribute electronic materials (including electronic mail, text, images, programs or data) without the explicit permission of the copyright holder.
Consequences of copyright infringement lie with the user; Library Services expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility from such use.

Those individuals who do not follow these standards of behavior may be denied use of Library computer and network resources. Violators of these standards may also be subject to penalties under College regulations and under local, state, or federal, laws. Library Services reserves the right to modify this policy at any time.