Use of Library Public Computers

Library public computers are provided to access information in support of University of Houston teaching and research and to enhance academic communication. Other uses, including non-academic web browsing, email, gaming, and participation in non-academic chat rooms, forums, and newsgroups, are considered secondary activities. The library may prohibit secondary activities if they interfere with the goals of supporting instruction and research.

Students, faculty, and staff at the University of Houston are the Libraries’ primary user group. The number of computers available for public use and the number of databases the library can afford are limited and must be shared.

If you are a community member, or don’t have a CougarNet account, visit the Service Desk in MD Anderson Library for a temporary log-in that lasts 3 hours. A photo ID is required, limit one per day.

Only library-provided software may be used on the Libraries’ computers. Software owned or supplied by users may not be installed or used on library computers.

You may not store data on the hard drives of library computers.

You must adhere to copyright laws protecting materials available on public workstations.

Printing from public computers is unavailable. University Libraries printing services are limited to active faculty, staff, and students only. Documents may be saved to the user’s thumb drive or email files.

You must use library databases in accordance with the databases’ licensing terms and conditions.

You are asked to respect the privacy of other computer users. This includes not representing oneself as another user, not modifying passwords, not trying to gain access to someone else’s data or search history, and not “hovering” over others using computers while waiting for their turn to use them.

The Libraries do not monitor or control information accessed through the internet ,and cannot be held responsible for its content. As with other library materials, any restriction of a minor’s access to and use of the internet is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.

The Libraries are not responsible for any damage done to computer users’ disks, data, hardware or software by any virus which may have been contacted on or through Libraries equipment.

Misuse of library computers may result in the suspension or loss of privilege to use them.