General Note

The following rules refer to the use of IT (information technology) and AV (audio-visual) facilities within all MCAST Libraries and Learning Resource Centres. Some restrictions may apply in the Institute Libraries. If in doubt please ask the Assisitant Librarian in charge.

Aims and Objectives

• To identify, acquire and provide access to IT and AV resources which will support the learning and teaching requirements of the College and to provide some material for leisure use.
• To use these resources effectively and efficiently.
• To provide fair and equal access to these resources and services for all MCAST students, lecturers and staff both full-time and part-time.
• To provide support to all users on how to make best use of resources available.
• To provide an appropriate learning environment which caters for a wide variety of learning styles.
• To promote, support and encourage information literacy - the ability to locate, evaluate and use information to become an independent learner.
• To establish links with lecturing staff and to co-operate with them regarding the resources and services provided.
• Support staff development through a comprehensive and current staff collection.
• To communicate with students in order to ascertain their needs and to seek feedback on the resources and services provided including assistance with learning basic skills.

Disclaimer

Library users once they register with the library and assigned a user name and password will be given the possibility of saving their own work on the Library server (or PCs in the case of Institute Libraries). This data will be kept in the users allocated electronic storage space throughout the academic year (in the case of server saved only) and will be automatically deleted at the end of each academic year. Library users are fully responsible for safeguarding this data, making back-up copies as necessary. The Library will not accept any liability for any loss of such data for whatever reason.

Neither will the Library accept responsibility for electronic theft of data.

All equipment must be used as instructed and should equipment be tampered with the, Library will not accept responsibility for any injuries that occur.

These regulations may change form time to time, in which cases library users will be notified.

Rules & Regulations

Users must comply with any request made to them by staff in connection with the enforcement of these Regulations.

At the discretion of the Assistant Librarian in charge, depending on the severity of the case, Library users who infringe these regulations may be asked to leave the facility after giving their particulars to the Assistant Librarian in charge. After a report is lodged with the Librarian, further action may be taken after due investigation according to the Students' Disciplinary Procedure (please refer to the MCAST Students' Handbook). Such action may include suspension from further use of the facility and liability to pay for any damages made.

To ensure the provision of a suitable learning environment and to minimise damage to equipment and information stock, no food, drink or cigarettes are allowed into the facility.

Users must not cause undue noise, use mobile phones (other than on silent for sms only) reserve seats or engage in any other conduct which shows lack of consideration for other users.

The use of all resources, including hardware, software, electronic, audio, video and textual resources, is restricted to educational and cultural purposes only.

Tampering with equipment (opening, replacing parts, unplugging/replugging, paper / toner reloading etc.) is not allowed, even in the case of apparent equipment malfunction. Equipment malfunction should be reported immediately and only dealt with by authorised College staff.

It is not acceptable to use computer equipment or electronic resources for illegal or commercial purposes. Illegal or commercial purposes include, but are not limited to, copyright infringement, harassment, libel or slander, or using the hardware and software to support personal e-business activities.

The College will not accept any liabilities for any external activities conducted using College equipment which might land users in trouble. Such activities might include but are not limited to entering into contractual obligations to purchase items or services, which are then not honoured.

It is not acceptable to use computer equipment to harass or interfere with other users. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, displaying or printing sexually offensive material and displaying hate literature or symbols.

It is not acceptable to use computer equipment or electronic resources so as to interfere with or disrupt local or other network users, services or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not limited to, interfering with the configuration of equipment, distribution of unsolicited advertising, sending of anonymous messages, propagation of computer worms and viruses or other malicious acts, and using the network to make unauthorized entry into any other machine accessible via the network.

Users must not inflict any deliberate or accidental defacement or damage to any piece of equipment, furniture or information stock which actions will be regarded as a serious breach of discipline. Cost of damage will be reclaimed.

Unless for an agreed academic purpose authorised in writing by the students' Institute staff and approved by the Librarian:

• Games must not be down/loaded and/or played
• Personal videos / DVDs must not be play backed

Users must not install/run their own software on the computers.

Users must not access Internet sites containing chat lines, pornographic material, or material contrary to MCAST Regulations.

Users must ensure that their personal property or Library equipment under their care and use at any moment is not left unattended. The College accepts no responsibility for loss or damage of users' property or data left in the Resource Centre.

A-V and IT materials and equipment should not be removed from their designated area. The library has an electronic security system to prevent such unauthorised removal.

Personal audio equipment (players and headphones) may be used on the premises as long as it will not annoy or distract other users. In particular, all mobile phones must be on silent and close to electronic equipment should be switched off if there are any interferences.

Personal lap-tops and other electronic viewing / saving devices may be used as long as they are not plugged into the net-work system.

Library IT users' accounts are not transferable and the account holder is fully responsible for their use, even if passed on to others in good faith.

E-mailing and text messaging to mobile phones is allowed.

When in need of help ask.

Laurence Zerafa
Librarian MCAST