UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE LIBRARIES

INTERNET ACCESS POLICY


The primary purpose of Internet availability in the UTK Libraries is to provide access to information that will enhance and support the educational, instructional, and research activities of UTK students, faculty, and staff.

University Libraries is creating a technologically advanced and challenging environment. This environment must protect the rights of library users, the University and its employees without compromising the values that we embrace. Those values are embodied in the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the ALA Library Bill of Rights.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

  • The University Libraries provides electronic information access to students, faculty, scholars, and staff to support their teaching, learning, scholarship, and research

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  • The University Libraries respects the privacy of users but can not guarantee it

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  • The University Libraries neither restricts lawful access to materials nor protects library users from information they may find offensive
    •      POLICIES
  • The use of open access workstations for primary library research and information seeking purposes has priority over all other uses

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  • Members of the university community engaged in accessing library and other information resources have priority over other users

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  • Members of the general public using open access workstations in the Libraries are subject to this policy and must observe the Libraries' regulations

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  • Library staff offer assistance, guidance, and instruction on using the Internet as a research and information resource

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  • Library staff do not monitor and have no control over the information accessed on the workstations in the Libraries' buildings

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  • Children using University Libraries' resources must be accompanied by a responsible adult

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  • All uses of computing and networking resources must be legal and conform to the UT Use of Information Technology Resources, Fiscal Policy, Section 175: Part 01

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  • All disruptive or harassing users may be subject to arrest or removal by law enforcement officials and to revocation of computer and /or library access privileges. University students or employees engaging in disruptive or harassing behavior may be subject to additional University disciplinary action.

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    -- Discussed and approved by the UTK Libraries Faculty  7/13/99
    -- Revised 9/29/99 
     
     
    UTK LIBRARY MISSION

    The University Libraries is a major component of Tennessee's oldest land grant and primary research university. The University Libraries participates in the teaching, research, and public service programs of the institution: by providing access to scholarly information; through the acquisition, organization, management, preservation, and arrangement of collections for access and use; through the provision of supportive reference and instruction services; and through a variety of cooperative and reciprocal programs in the area, state, region, nation, and the world.

    US CONSTITUTION

    AMENDMENT

    I

    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
     


     
     

    AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

    LIBRARY 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.

    I. 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.

    II. 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.

    III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

    IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

    V. A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

    VI. 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.
     

    UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE

    UNIVERSITY FISCAL POLICY




    Section 135: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

    Effective 7/15/2002 Revision #2

     

    Objective: To provide guidelines on the responsible and acceptable use of the University's information technology resources and on software license agreements.

    GENERAL POLICIES

    1. The use of University information technology resources is not a right, but a privilege, extended in good faith to authorized students, employees, alumni, and affiliates for purposes relating to education, research, service, and administration. Responsible and acceptable use preserves the security, integrity, and availability of information technology resources and assures the authentication and accountability of each user. These resources are for use in conducting authorized University business. Using University information technology resources for personal gain or illegal or obscene activities is prohibited. Examples of such use include theft, fraud, gambling, copyright infringement, sound or video recording piracy, and viewing or distributing child pornography.

    2. The University, including its computing and networking facilities, is a forum for the exchange of ideas. UT cannot protect users from the presence of material they may find offensive. However, the presence of such material must not be represented nor construed as an endorsement or approval by UT.

    3. Users must recognize that information systems can never be absolutely secure, and the University cannot guarantee the privacy of users, their computer files, or their communications. The University also reserves the right to preserve or inspect for business reasons any information transmitted through or stored in its computers, including electronic mail communications. Such business reasons include, but are not limited to, violations of this policy and any campus guidelines or procedures established to implement this policy, violations of any other University policies, or as required by law. Employee electronic mail may be a public record and may be open to public inspection.

    4. The chief information officer, or individual designated by the chancellor or vice president of each campus and unit, has the authority and responsibility for the development of technology standards and guidelines to ensure the effective implementation of this policy.

    5. The use of University information resources is governed by all applicable policies and the laws of the State of Tennessee and the United States. Violation of these policies will be dealt with appropriately and will be subject to disciplinary action, including termination of employment or the loss of technology resources privileges. Illegal activities involving University information technology resources may also be subject to prosecution by State or federal authorities. Abuse of information technology resources at other sites through the use of UT resources will be treated as an abuse of information technology resources privileges at the University.

    SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENTS

    6. Each software package includes a license agreement that details restrictions on the use of the software. The University expects software users to follow the provisions in these license agreements regarding copying, improvements, number of concurrent users, and similar provisions, even though the University has not signed the license agreements and does not agree to be bound by certain other provisions of the agreements.

    License agreements differ among software publishers. It is important that users read and understand the license agreement for each software package.

    7. Because of the unique nature of computer software, the federal copyright law recognizes two limited exceptions to the usual prohibitions against copying or altering copyrighted work. If the copy or adaptation does not meet one of the following exceptions, it is a violation of federal law. The licensee or purchaser of software may:

    a. Make one backup copy for use in the event that the original disk is damaged or destroyed beyond use. The backup copy must be destroyed if the license for the underlying computer program is discontinued.

    b. Make a copy or adaptation if the new copy or adaptation is an essential step in utilizing the program on the licensee's or purchaser's computers. Any additional copy or adaptation must be an essential step in utilizing the program, and not merely for convenience.

    Questions about computer software use not addressed by this policy or questions about specific license agreements should be directed to campus/unit computer support personnel.