Computer Use in the Library
Computers with Internet access and software that let you log on to the World Wide Web are available throughout the library to help you do your homework, conduct research, or just relax. There are computers located near the reference desks, computer classrooms (LB108/212), and Laptops at the Circulation Desk to check out for two hours with your HCCC ID (Library use only). You can bring a laptop into one of the rooms we have available for group study.
Please note: To keep our computers free from spam and viruses, downloading music, chatting with friends, or playing games is forbidden. The HCCC Computer Use Policy & Guidelines, published by Information Services is applicable in the Library (the Reference Desk has a copy). These policies must be followed or you will be subject to disciplinary action by the college.
Textbook Reserve
Textbooks for most courses are on reserve at the Circulation Desk. Please check to be sure that your class textbook is there before deciding not to purchase one. A student I.D. card is required to use textbooks on reserve. They can only be used in the Library. They can only be signed out for 2 hours and a $1 late fine will be charged if kept out longer than that. This collection does not include novels, workbooks, or CDs required for classes.
Copyright
The Copyright Act allows anyone to copy copyrighted works without securing permission from the copyright owner when the copying amounts to a “fair use” of the material (17 U.S.C. SS107). The following guidelines describe the boundaries of fair use of copied material used in research or the classroom or in a library reserve operation. Fair use cannot always be expressed in numbers ” either the number of pages copied or the number of copies distributed. Therefore, an instructor should weigh the various factors listed in the Act and judge whether the intended use of copied, copyrighted material is within the spirit of the fair use doctrine. Any serious questions concerning whether a particular photocopying constitutes fair use should be directed to College counsel.
Research Uses
At the very least, instructors may make a single copy of any of the following for scholarly research or use in teaching or preparing to teach a class:
A chapter from a book
An article from a periodical or newspaper
A short story, short essay or short poem, whether or not from a collective work
A chart, diagram, graph, drawing, cartoon or picture from a book, periodical or newspaper
These examples reflect the most conservative guidelines for fair use. They do not represent inviolate ceilings for the amount of copyrighted material which can be copied within the boundaries of fair use. When exceeding these minimum levels, however, you should consider the four factors listed in Section 107 of the Copyright Act to make sure that any additional copying is justified. The following demonstrate situations where increased levels of copying would continue to remain within the range of fair use:
The inability to obtain another copy of the work because it is not available from another library or a source cannot be obtained within your time constraints;
The intention to copy the material only once and not to distribute the material to others;
The ability to keep the amount of material copied within a proportion reasonable to the entire work (the larger the work, the greater amount of material which may be copied).
Most single-copy copying for your personal use in research - even when it involves a substantial portion of a work ” may well constitute fair use.
Classroom Uses
Educators have, with publishers, developed the following guidelines which allow a teacher to distribute copied material to students in a class without the publisher’s prior permission, under the following conditions:
The distribution of the same copied material does not occur every semester;
Only one copy is distributed for each student which copy must become the student’s property;
The material includes a copyright notice on the first page of the photocopied portion of material;
Students are not assessed any fee beyond the actual cost of the copying (In addition, educators agree that the amount of material distributed should not exceed certain brevity standards. Under those guidelines, a prose work may be reproduced in its entirety if it is less than 2500 words in length. If the work exceeds such length, the reproduced excerpt may not exceed 1000 words, or 10% of the work, whichever is less. In the case of poetry, 250 words is the maximum permitted. These minimum standards normally would not be realistic in the University setting. Faculty members needing to exceed these limits for college education should not feel hampered by the guidelines, although they should attempt a “selective and sparing” use of copied, copyrighted material.)
The copying practices of an instructor should not have a significant detrimental impact on the market for the copyrighted work. 17 U.S.C. SS107(4). To guard against this effect, you should not repeatedly copy excerpts from one periodical or author without the permission of the copyright owner.
Exit Check
A security system protects the library from theft and keeps tuition costs down. If the alarm goes off when you exit the library, please return to the Circulation Desk. The library staff reserves the right to inspect any briefcases, large purses, bags or similar items large enough to contain library materials. Please cooperate with this policy. Failure to comply with library policies may result in the loss of library privileges and/or further disciplinary action.
Lost items
Please keep your belongings with you at all times. The Library cannot assume responsibility for lost personal belongings. Any recovered items are kept at the Circulation Desk for short period before being sent to Lost and Found in the Campus Safety Office.
Library Users’ Bill of Rights and ALA Bill of Rights
Library Users’ Bill of Rights
- Library users have the right to an environment that is quiet enough for reading and study; one that is free of boisterous or disruptive activity.
- Library users have the right to have access to Library materials. The HCCC Computer Use Policy and Guidelines apply to Library materials.
- Library users have the right to surrounds free of cell phones, food, beverages, and their resulting problems.
ALA Bill of Rights
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services:
- Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background or views of those contributing to their creation.
- Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
- Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
- Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
- A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background or views.
- Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
Adopted June 18, 1948. Amended February 2, 1961, June 27, 1967, and January 23, 1980, inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996, by the ALA Council.
Tobacco use
Neither smoking nor chewing tobacco is allowed in the LIbrary.
Food and drink
No food is allowed in the LIbrary. Drinks in “spill-proof” containers are allowed in most Library areas but not around the computers or in the classrooms.
Conversation
Your conversation should not be any louder than that which could be heard beyond the immediate area you occupy. The first floor of the Library is a group study area. The second floor of the Library is a quiet study area. Study rooms on both floors may also be used on a first-come, first-served basis.
Conduct in the Library
To allow the patrons of the Herkimer Community College Library to use its facilities and programs in a safe, pleasant environment, conducive to study and research, these rules have been adopted.
These rules apply both to patron conduct with other patrons and with staff members. Patrons are urged to report disruptive behavior to the Reference Desk or the Director of Library Services.
The library staff reserves the right to interpret these rules, to apply them, and to change them as necessary. This is not an exhaustive list; appropriate conduct includes but is not limited to:
- Patrons shall respect the rights of all other patrons and staff members at all times.
- Patrons shall not either fail to identify themselves or knowingly provide any other false information to any Library or College official.
- While children may come to the Library on an occasional basis, they must be supervised by their parent/guardians and be in their presence at all times.
- Parents/guardians are liable for all acts of minor children (NYS Statute General Oblig. Sec 3-112.)
- Patrons shall not harass any other person in any way, including but not limited to stalking, verbal abuse, or other because of a person’s race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation.
- Patrons shall not sexually harass, make sexual advances or engage in physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such behavior interferes with the rights of others and can create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
- Due to the highly visible nature of most of the computer screens in the library, patrons many not have on the screen graphic pornography or extreme violence that is not appropriate for a public and open environment and that creates a hostile or offensive environment.
Patrons shall not disturb others by engaging in disruptive activity. This includes but is not limited to:
- Interfering with the use of the Library by other patrons or interfering with the library employees’ performance of their duties.
- Obstructing or disrupting teaching or learning activities or other sanctioned Library events.
- Use of electronic equipment, including pagers, stereos, telephones, and computers, at a volume which is audible to others is prohibited.
- Patrons must set cell phones to a non-audible signal upon entering the Library. Patrons must exit the Library when talking on cell phones.
- Patrons shall not use offensive or abusive language, or engage in offensive or abusive behavior.
- Patrons shall not distribute, dispense, possess, use, or sell alcohol, tobacco, or illegal or controlled substances on Library property.
- Patrons may not gamble in the Library.
- If the security gates sound an alarm as a patron exits, the patron must return to the circulation desk to verify that the materials were handled properly by the staff. All briefcases, handbags, backpacks, dufflebags, overcoats, shopping bags, luggage, and other packages may be subject to inspection by library or security staff.
Computer resources exist for academic, research, professional enrichment, and administrative use. Patrons shall not misuse or use without authority, the College’s information technology or telecommunications systems. This includes but is not limited to:
- the unauthorized or illegal use or misuse of College phone and computer network systems;
violation of the College Computer Use Policy and Guidelines;
- unauthorized entry or dissemination of electronic information;
- prank or harassing phone calls or email messages;
- the hacking, duplication or unauthorized use of copyrighted software;
- destruction, unauthorized transfer or alteration of electronic files;
- unauthorized use of another individual’s electronic identification number, such as password, Social Security number, pin number.
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17 U. S. Code) governs the making use of copyrighted material. All patrons are responsible for any infringement on this law.
Patrons shall not damage, mar or steal library materials or equipment, or in any way destroy or damage library furnishings, walls, equipment, or other library property.
With the exception of Campus Safety officers or other law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties, patrons shall not possess, use or manufacture a - firearm or other weapon.
Neither the Library nor the College is responsible for any personal property brought into the Library. Patrons are responsible for their own property and should not - leave personal items left unattended.
Patrons shall not violate any published College regulations or federal, state, or local laws.
Disciplinary Process
Typically, a patron will receive a warning regarding a first violation of these rules. Repeat instances of rules violation or any violation of an extreme or criminal nature, may result in barring the patron from using the Library and its services. A barring determination will be decided by the Director of Library Services.
Cell Phones
Turn off, or set cell phones to a non-audible signal before entering the Library. Library users must exit the Library before talking on cell phones.