Computer Use Policy

The Texas State Law Library provides computer workstations for its patrons so that they may perform online legal research by accessing online subscription services paid for by the Texas State Law Library. Patrons may also access other law-related Web sites and compile legal documents using the word processing software provided.

1. Computer workstations are available for use by registered library patrons only.
2. By logging in, patrons agree to abide by this Computer Use Policy.
3. The State Law Library is a public setting. There is no expectation of privacy.
4. Patrons are prohibited from viewing sexually explicit Web sites, Web sites depicting violence, or any other Web sites that would be patently offensive to others. The primary purpose for our computer workstations is for legal research.
5. Patrons may not install any software on the library's computer workstations.
6. Any data or documents must be saved on a portable storage device. Files may be saved to a diskette, CD-R/CD-RW, or other portable storage devices such as USB drives. Data saved to the local hard drive is only stored temporarily and should be deleted before ending a session. The library is not responsible for any data left on the local hard drive. The library is not responsible for the corruption or deletion of patron data, or for access to any data by other patrons.
7. Unsaved work will be lost at the end of the computer session. Patrons will be given three reminders to save their work near the end of their session. Ignoring these reminders will lead to deletion of their work. The library staff is not responsible for lost work and cannot retrieve lost work. It is good practice to always save works in progress because technical problems can occur at any time. The library staff is not responsible for work lost because of technical problems and other unforeseen difficulties.
8. Print outs are available for 25 cents per page plus sales tax and must be paid for at the circulation desk. Patrons are responsible for all of the pages they print. Library staff has no control over the layout of internet Web sites or any documents that are printed. Patrons should perform "print preview" prior to sending a print job to our printer to verify what and how much they are printing. If patrons need assistance with "print preview," please ask library staff for assistance. We will not waive the cost of any pages accidentally printed.
9. The library's computer workstations have set time limits so that others have the opportunity to use the workstations. Patrons must observe these time limits. Doing anything to circumvent the allowed time limit, including but not limited to using another patron's library card, is prohibited. Sessions that violate the library's time limits will be ended by library staff. Additional time will not be provided by library staff.
10. Food and drink are not allowed at the computer workstations.
11. Personal headphones are required when listening to audio from the computers.
12. Computers and their associated chairs are reserved for the patrons using the computers.
13. Patrons are required to follow all library computer use policies and procedures.

Violation of this policy is subject to the following:

• Viewing or attempting to view sexually explicit electronic material, Web sites depicting violence, or other Web sites that may be offensive to others will result in the patron's session being ended by library staff. The first violation of this policy will result in the patron being barred from using the library's computer workstations for three months. A second violation of this policy will result in the patron being permanently barred from using the library's computer workstations.
• Patrons who stay over the allowed time limit at any computer workstation will be asked to leave the computer workstation and their session will be terminated.
• Library staff, at their own discretion, may terminate the session of any patron who is in violation of this policy at any time.
• Disregard of the policy as set forth may result in the patron being barred from using any of the library's computer workstations.

The Texas State Law Library reserves the right to change this policy at any time.