Chemeketa Community College Library Computer Use Guidelines

Under review.

Guiding Principles

Chemeketa Community College is committed to the comprehensive community college philosophy of meeting the educational needs of the community it serves.

In this endeavor the college is dedicated to providing educational opportunities that permit individuals of the area to enrich their lives, develop themselves personally, and advance their careers to the limit of their desires and capabilities¹.

Chemeketa library/media services exist as a major resource for the college and the community to meet the college's educational commitment².

Use of the Library's computers is governed by the Chemeketa Community College Electronic Information Resources Policy³, Use of Copyrighted Materials⁴ and other college policies and procedures as applicable.

Library resources are to further the educational mission of the college. For this reason, use of the computers for educational purposes is given precedence over computing pursuits of a more personal or recreational value. Students using the library computers for non-academic purposes may be asked to release their workstations for academic use.

The library has no control over information received through the Internet. Therefore, the library cannot be held responsible for content or quality of the information retrieved. The Chemeketa Community College Library strongly supports principles of intellectual freedom as outlined in the Library Bill of Rights⁵ and the Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries⁶.

Computer Use Guidelines

Electronic information resources at Chemeketa Community College are to be used in a manner that supports the educational mission of the college. Chemeketa's mission and values encourage teaching and learning, research, creativity, collaboration and the free exchange of ideas in a climate of openness and respect.

In general, the same ethical and professional conduct that applies to other college activities applies to the use of electronic information resources. Users must show respect for college property, respect for others, and bear responsibility for their actions.

Accept responsibility for learning how to use information technology. The college provides training on the use of information technology. All users are encouraged to learn the proper use of information technology by individual learning, attending training sessions, or attending classes.

Accept responsibility for backup and security of your own work. Each user should make backup copies of important work and learn and properly use software features for securing or sharing access to their information. Users are responsible for providing their own storage media and should be aware that computer disks can fail.

Use resources efficiently. Accept limitations or restrictions on computing resources, such as storage space, time limits, or amount of resources consumed when so instructed by the college. Such restrictions are designed to ensure fair access for all users.

Use electronic equipment properly. Do nothing to damage college equipment. Damaging equipment includes (but is not restricted to) vandalism, theft, and turning off or rebooting equipment without staff authorization.

Abide by all security provisions. Attempting to evade, disable or "crack" password(s) or other security provisions or assisting others in doing so threatens the work, privacy and well-being of others and is prohibited. Refer to ORS 164.377 for details on computer crime. Other federal and state laws may apply as well.

Obey copyright law. Chemeketa Community College expects users to know, understand and apply copyright law.

Recognize limitations to privacy in electronic communications. Users may have an expectation that the contents of what they write or otherwise create, store, and send be seen only by those to whom they intend or give permission to view. However, the security of electronic information on shared systems and networks is approximately that of paper documents in an unsealed or sealed envelope--generally respected, but breachable by someone determined to do so.

Understand the limitations of our electronic resources. Electronic equipment is offered for use "as is." Software and hardware may or may not be the most current versions. Users are responsible for determining program compatibility.

Supervise your children. The supervision of minor children is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Summary. College information technology resources may be used for lawful purposes only. Non-compliance with any of the provisions of College policy, procedure and these guidelines may subject the user to college disciplinary and/or legal action.

These guidelines apply to information technology and systems within the College and outside the college accessed via college facilities. Network or Internet providers outside the college may additionally impose their own conditions of appropriate use. Any computer account accessed from the college network is subject to college acceptable use and provider policies, procedures and guidelines.

Issues concerning improper use of the information technology resources should be brought to the attention of the Director of the Learning Resource Center.

¹ Chemeketa Community College Board of Education. (March 15 2006). Strategic intent: Our promises to the community we serve. Retrieved 17 March 2006 from http://www.chemeketa.edu/aboutus/whoweare/intent.html.

²Chemeketa Community College Board of Education. (July 17, 1985). Policy # 4110 POL, Library/media services, Chemeketa Community College Policy Manual. Retrieved 1 November 2001 from http://library.chemeketa.edu/about/policies/4110POL.pdf.

³ Chemeketa Community College Board of Education. (July 17, 1985). Policy #1760 POL, Electronic information resources. Chemeketa Community College Policy Manual. Retrieved 1 November 2001 from http://library.chemeketa.edu/about/policies/1760POL.pdf.

⁴Chemeketa Community College Board of Education. (July 17, 1985). Policy #4210 POL, Use of copyrighted materials , Chemeketa Community College Policy Manual Retrieved 5 November 2001 from http://library.chemeketa.edu/about/policies/4210POL.pdf

⁵American Library Association. (1996). Library Bill of Rights. Retrieved 27 August 2008 from http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/librarybillrights.cfm

⁶American Library Association. (1999). Intellectual Freedom Principles for Academic Libraries: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights. Retrieved 14 November 2006 from http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/interpretations/intellectual.cfm

For more information about this policy or other questions relating to the use of electronic resources, call the Library at 503.399.5043 or email reference@chemeketa.edu.

Updated 27 August, 2008

Chemeketa Community College Library, Salem OR 97305; 503.399.5043

Updated by Reference.