BMCC Library
Computer and Electronic Information Access Policy
Computer and electronic information access is available at Bay Mills Community College Library and Heritage Center to provide access to educational and informational resources in digital format, promote computer literacy; and, to provide access to library-owned software to the general public.
Computer users must have a valid library card or guest pass when they sign up to use the computers. Individuals with $5.00 or more in fines or with overdue materials will be denied access until their obligations have been met. Enquire at the main desk to receive a guest pass.
Users are expected to use computer resources in a responsible, ethical, and lawful manner. Users should keep in mind that they are working in a public environment on public machines and have no expectation of privacy. The following uses of Bay Mills Community College’s public library’s computers are forbidden: chat rooms; games;any form of instant messaging for library patrons under the age of 18; altering software or operating system configurations; installing or running personal software on library machines;establishing or uploading files to personal home pages; commercial activity. All computers and their software remain the property of Bay Mills Community College.
Due to the nature of electronic networks, Bay Mills Community College Library and Heritage Center cannot guarantee the security or confidentiality of any information users may transmit across the Internet or enter into library computers. Bay Mills Community College Library and Heritage Center is not liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages which may arise through the use of library machines.
General Rules
Use of the computers is provided on a first come-first serve basis. If all the computers are busy, the user may use the reservation system. Users must be physically present in the library when their reserved computer is ready. If the user cannot be found, the reservation will be cancelled.
Users are responsible for knowing how to use the computer. Library staff may provide limited assistance as time permits. However, library staff are not computer experts and may not be able to assist in every situation. Any problems with the computers should be reported to a staff member. Under no circumstances should users attempt to fix problems.
Total computer time per user is limited to 1½ hours each day. If there is no one waiting for a machine an additional time will be assigned in ½ hour blocks as long as computers are available. In cases of two people sharing a machine, users are limited by time restrictions the same as if they were a single user. Machines left unattended for more than five minutes may be assigned to a waiting user.
Disruptive users will receive one warning. If the disruption continues, they will be logged off the machine and may be asked to leave the premises.
Users should save their work to disk or jump drives.
Children’s Computers
There are computers available specifically for children within their section of the library. When library staff are available in the Children’s Area, these computers may be used to run library owned educational software. Children 5 and under must have a parent with them at all times. Children 6-12 may use computers without parental supervision; however they must have a parental consent form on file.
Internet
The Internet is a world-wide collection of computer networks which facilitates access to a wide range of information resources. The Internet is not regulated by any controlling entity. Bay Mills Community College Library and Heritage Center cannot guarantee and is not responsible for the accuracy, truthfulness, or content of any web site accessed using library machines.
Internet access at Bay Mills Community College Library is provided as a supplement to the physical collection owned by the library. The following uses are forbidden: accessing obscene or pornographic web sites; displaying information or images harmful to minors; accessing web sites promoting illegal activities; viewing, distributing, transmitting, or promoting hate-related speech, crimes, or subversive activities. Evidence of such activities will be reported to the appropriate authorities. Library staff will decide whether a site or document is inappropriate. Users are responsible for the sites they reach during their use of the library’s Internet connection.
Children 10 years old and under must have a parent or guardian with them at all times while they are on the Internet. Children 11-14 must have a signed permission slip from parent/guardian to use computers without adult supervision. Parents who sign permission slips for their children assume responsibility for their children’s use of the Internet. Parents may restrict their children from access to Internet resources in the library by not signing a permission slip.
Due to the risk of computer viruses, users are not allowed to download programs from the Internet, even if they will be saved to disk. Text and images may be downloaded freely as long as such use does not violate copyright laws. Users must save files to a disk
Printing
The charge for black and white printing is 5¢ per page. No color printing is avalailable.
Copyright
Bay Mills Community College Library and Heritage Center provides access to a number of software packages, including word processing, photo programs, and other legal, business, and educational resources. A scanner is also available for use by the general public. In using these products, the user agrees to abide by federal and state copyright laws.
Wireless Access
The Bay Mills Community College Library and Heritage Center provides a free wireless Internet access point or "hot spot" for users with portable computers’ or devices capable of receiving wireless signals, during normal Library business hours. This access point allows users to access the Internet from their laptop computer or other wireless device when they are within its range.
Library staff is not responsible for any changes users make to their computer settings and cannot guarantee that a user's hardware will work with the Library's wireless connection. If a user has problems accessing the Internet over these connections, staff cannot assist in making changes to the user's network settings or perform any troubleshooting on the user's own computer. Users should refer to their owners' manuals or other support services offered by their device manufacturer.
As with most public wireless "hot spots," the Library's wireless connection is not secure. There can be non-trustworthy third parties between the user and anybody with whom the user communicates. Any information being sent or received could potentially be intercepted by another wireless user. Cautious and informed wireless users should not transmit their credit card information, passwords or any other sensitive personal information while using any wireless "hot spot."
The Library provides access only to Web-based email or through a user's personal Internet provider. Printers are not available via the wireless connection.
All users, wireless or wired, shall not violate federal, state or local laws, including the transmission or receiving of child pornography, display of material harmful to minors, fraud, or downloading of copyrighted material.
Any restriction or monitoring of a minor's access to the College and Library wireless network is the sole responsibility of the parent or guardian.
Bay Mills Community College Library and Heritage Center is not responsible or liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages which may arise through the use of library computer service, wired or wireless. The Computer and Electronic Information Access Policy, in its entirety, applies to wireless users. Computer use privileges will be withdrawn if a user habitually violates this policy.
Making or attempting to make unauthorized changes to library computers or the network will result in loss of computer privileges. Copying programs is illegal under current copyright law. Violators will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
Rick Elder, Library Director 1/22/07
Approved by Mickey Parish, President BMCC 1/31/07
