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Library Policy

District Facilities Policy

All Seattle Colleges Policies apply to the library.

Use of Seattle College District Facilities (Policy Number 250)

Computer Use

Computers in the library offer high-speed access to the Internet in support of academic research. The Library's computer equipment is provided to current students, faculty, and staff to access library collections and other information resources and services in support of curriculum and research needs. Students, faculty, and staff may check out laptop computers for wireless access to the Internet via secure login. The library's subscription databases do not require login when used from campus desktop computers.

Computing resources will be used in accordance with College policies and local, state, and federal laws. These laws and policies cover such areas as illegal access to computer systems, networks, and files; copyright; and harassment. Users who refuse to comply with the following guidelines may be asked to leave the library:

Library computers are reserved for the exclusive use of Seattle Central College students, faculty, and staff. Library staff may approach individuals or make general announcements to ensure that computers are available for students doing research related to coursework at Seattle Central. At the discretion of a librarian, visitors may use the computers for brief periods for college-related purposes, such as:

  • Completing  financial aid applications
  • Registering for classes
  • Obtaining academic transcripts
  • Completing academic incompletes
  • Working on course assignments from another Washington state community college

Visitors who who abuse this privilege will be asked to stop using the library’s computers for the day.

Computer Use in a Learning Environment

The Library supports and promotes individual intellectual freedom. As part of an academic institution serving students, faculty, and staff, the library balances the right of the individual to pursue information with its mission to provide an atmosphere for teaching and learning.

Use of library computers for purposes other than course-related research (e.g., personal e-mail or research) is allowed on a space available basis as long as the use does not interfere with student research. Due to the public nature of the Library, anyone using a computer in the library should demonstrate respect for individuals’ rights to privacy and freedom from intimidation or harassment.

The Library may take steps to maintain an environment conducive to study and research.

Guidelines

Librarians will use four factors to determine when a user should be prevented from viewing content on computers in the library. If the content is suspected of including images of child pornography or obscenity, campus security is notified immediately. Otherwise the following factors apply:

  • Type of user
  • Nature of the use
  • Effect on learning environment
  • Effect on individual learning

Factors in favor of allowing the use:

  • The user is student, faculty or staff at Seattle Central.
  • The information is being used for academic purposes related to teaching and learning at Seattle Central or Seattle Community Colleges.

Factors in favor of suspending use:

  • The user is not affiliated with Seattle Central.
  • The use is not related to a course or college activity.
  • The content is mainly images that are easily viewed by other users.
  • Another library user or staff has complained about the images being displayed.
  • Limiting use would not interfere with a college-related learning activity.

 Adapted with permission from "UW Libraries - Computer Use Policy."

The Library adheres to the following document which is appended to and part of the Collection Development policy:  Section IVA., Appendix III: Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks

Laws of the State of Washington

  • RCW 9a.52.110  -  Computer trespass in the first degree.
  •  RCW 42.52.180  -  Use of public resources for political campaigns.
  •  RCW 42.17.260  -  Documents and indexes to be made public.
  •  RCW 42.52.160   -  Use of persons, money, or property for private gain.

            Revised Code of Washington (RCW)

  •  WAC 292-110-010  -  Appropriate and inappropriate use of state resources.

            Washington Administrative Code (WAC) - Rules and regulations for all state agencies

Food & Beverages

The consumption of food and beverages is prohibited in most public areas of the library. Beverages in no-spill/covered containers are allowed in the library. Users may consume snacks only in the following areas:

  • Study lounge
  • Room C

Exceptions to the uses described above must be approved by a Librarian, a Library Supervisor or the Library Dean.

Fragrance Free*

Group Study Rooms

The library has four rooms that can accommodate small groups of up to 12 for collaborative work:
Room F, Room G, Room I, and Room S.
Note: Individuals who desire a silent study environment may use the Study Carrels at the south and east ends of the library or Classroom A (Reading Room) if it is not scheduled for a workshop, presentation or meeting.

We also work with the Accessibility Resource Center to accommodate students who may need a study room as an accommodation. The Library Dean will give the approval for these requests on a case by case basis.

Description of Rooms

  • Rooms F and G can accommodate no more than 4 people each.
  • Rooms I and S have a capacity of 8 and 12 people respectively.

Each study room has a white board and a large monitor that can connect to a laptop. Cables and whiteboard markers are available for check out at the Circulation desk. 

Rooms F, G, and S have an adjustable height table.

Policies

Some exceptions to these policies are listed above.

  • Group study rooms are for groups only. For the purposes of accommodation and videotaping, rooms may be reserved for individual study with permission from a librarian.

  • A seattlecolleges.edu email must be used to book study rooms.

  • Study rooms may be booked for a daily maximum of two hours (120 minutes) at Central and three hours (180 minutes) at the Health Education Center.

  • Only one reservation per day per group is allowed. Reservations may be made up to 3 days in advance.

  • Late arrivals (after 15 minutes): the library may cancel a booking and release it to another group.

  • Book a room with the same capacity as your group. Bigger groups need the bigger rooms!

  • Users agree to leave the rooms neat and tidy and to follow library policy while using study rooms. Disruptive behavior may result in the loss of study room and/or library privileges.

Noise

The Library strives to provide a variety of study and research environments in order to satisfy both contemplative and collaborative needs. Loud voices, ringing cell phones, and other disturbances that prevent others from pursuing their study or research goals are prohibited. Appropriate noise levels for various library locations are listed below:

Silence:

  • Carrels in classroom room C and at the southwest and west ends of the library next to the circulating book stacks

Quiet conversation/discussion:

  • Tables at the southeast end of the library next to the periodicals and reference stacks
  • Study Lounge in the southeast corner
  • Lounge area at the library entrance
  • Group study rooms for the use of two or more students
  • Tables at the northwest end of the library next to the Library Open Computer Lab
  • Classroom A (Reading Room) unless scheduled for a workshop or meeting
  • Classroom T (Computer lab) unless scheduled for a workshop or meeting

Paging

The public address system is reserved for official library communication and emergencies only. When a page is requested, a librarian will decide if a situation warrants the use of the public address system or a physical search of the library for a patron. If a librarian is not available, a supervisor or full-time technician will make the decision.

The library may refer non-emergency requests to page individuals to Campus Security.