Access Policies
Webstation Use
Freedom of inquiry and expression as well as an open environment for sharing information are valued, encouraged, supported, and protected at the University of Michigan-Flint. Research and instruction take many forms. Therefore, information accessible through the Internet should not be unduly restricted.
- The Thompson Library's Internet resources are intended for education and information purposes. Its webstations may not be used for recreational purposes such as playing games or using chatrooms. The use of e-mail, except for purely academic purposes, is strongly discouraged.
- The Internet, like all of the Thompson Library's information sources, must be used in a manner that respects the rights of others and does not interfere with the intended use of the information resources.
- University of Michigan-Flint students, faculty, and staff doing research have first priority for using the webstations.
- Webstation use is generally limited to half an hour. If other webstations are not being used, patrons may stay longer.
Patrons are prohibited from engaging in any activity that:
- Interferes with the intended use of the information resources
- Without authorization, destroys, alters, dismantles, disfigures, prevents rightful access to or otherwise interferes with the integrity of computer-based information and/or information resources
- Installs software, files, or any application on the hard drive of any public webstation (this does not prohibit access to websites that use cookies)
- Deliberately propagates computer worms or viruses
- Seeks to gain or gains unauthorized access to information resources
- Without authorization invades the privacy of individuals or entities that are creators, authors, users, or subjects of the information resources.
- Creates an intimidating, hostile, offensive, or abusive environment for other users of the Thompson Library
Violation of these points is unacceptable, and may be a violation of University policy or a criminal offense. In accordance with established University practices, policies, and procedures, confirmation of inappropriate use of University of Michigan-Flint technology resources may result in disciplinary action. This may include, but not be limited to, termination of access, removal from the Thompson Library or from the campus, suspension or expulsion from the University, termination of employment, legal action, or other appropriate disciplinary action.
Enacted by the Frances Willson Thompson Library on May 4, 1999; modified August 8, 2001; in accordance with P.A. 1982, No. 455, 5 (2)
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Children
Inappropriate behavior includes loud talking, running around, approaching other library users and/or staff, crying or any other conduct likely to disturb persons using the library for study.
Unaccompanied children will be asked to return to their accompanying adult or leave the area. If a problem persists (e.g. there is no accompanying adult), Public Safety will be notified.
When public schools are generally in session (last week in August until first week in June, weekdays until 3 p.m.), minors of any age must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, teacher, or other responsible adult, or must produce written, verifiable permission to be away from school. Public Safety will be notified if faculty or staff members suspect that a minor in the library is a truant.
Rationale. The Thompson Library strives to be an open, accessible place for scholars – including those unaffiliated with UM-Flint – to read, study, and conduct research. It also has a responsibility to make sure that any minors in the library are safe and are not illegally absent from school. This policy strikes a balance between these objectives, recognizing that minors can be legitimate users of the library and its resources, while also taking reasonable measures to deal with potential abuses of the library's openness. Because of its proximity to several schools, it is also incumbent upon the library to take measures to avoid becoming a magnet for truants.
4/1979
Revised 4/2001
Withdrawal from the Federal Depository Library Program
The Frances Willson Thompson Library at the University of Michigan-Flint has withdrawn from the Federal Depository Library Program. Our depository number was 0282. Our collection is being disbursed under the direction of our regional depository, the Library of Michigan.
Publications still in the library will be made available to the public (even if they have been packed up for disposal). Reference and referral services remain available. Unrestricted online access to federal information is no longer guaranteed, but will be available to researchers in most cases.
The Frances Willson Thompson Library has been a selective depository for publications of the federal government. We withdrew from the program in January 2004. At the time of our withdrawal we were receiving about 13% of the available distribution items, including resources held by all libraries that participate in the depository program. Emphasis in the collection was on support of the curriculum of this school, with secondary emphasis on publications of interest to business and professional people in the Flint area. Flint Public Library remains a selective depository.
The Government Documents Collection is available to all residents of Michigan. Because the Thompson Library has been a documents depository of the U.S. government, a designation intended to help the library provide broad access to these publications, anyone is free to borrow from the documents collection.
Revised 4/2001
Revised 1/2005
The majority of documents in the separate Documents Collection may be checked out. Some publications of reference value are marked “Does Not Circulate.” These publications can leave the building only with permission of the Documents Librarian or a Reference Librarian.
All depository publications are marked “Depository Document.” Any publication so marked can circulate to any person resident in the State of Michigan, provided that the primary clientele of the Frances Willson Thompson Library can also check out the publication.
Persons not affiliated with the University of Michigan system who do not have a valid card on our Mirlyn online system, if residents of the State of Michigan, may be issued a free Special Permission Card, valid for checking out depository publications only. The Special Permission Card may be issued by the Documents Librarian or by a Reference Librarian. It is valid for four months from the date of issue and may be renewed providing there are no outstanding fines or overdues on the card. Loan terms are as for undergraduate students of the University of Michigan-Flint.
Periodicals, including depository publications transferred to the periodicals collection do not circulate except briefly to UM-Flint faculty. They may not be checked out on a Special Permission Card.
Depository publications transferred to the circulating book collection (identified by a “Depository Documents” notation on the front or flyleaf) may be checked out on a Special Permission Card.
Created 11/12/1999 by Dorothy Gae Davis, Documents Librarian
Approved by Robert L. Houbeck, Library Director 11/22/1999
Revised 1/2005
Any person, regardless of age or affiliation status relating to the University of Michigan-Flint, may access federal government information electronically to the extent that the library has access to the information. There are basically three modes of access.
- Public Internet terminals: In order to maintain reasonable security for anonymous access, the public access terminals provide only a browser and Adobe Acrobat Reader for reading PDF files. Printing requires payment using a purchased copy card. Internet terminals are capable of downloading to a floppy disk. Downloads are limited to the capacity of a single floppy disk. Patrons needing to download larger files of government information should apply for mediated service.
CD-ROM/DVD computers (room 314): These computers DO NOT have Internet access and are dedicated to use with federal depository CD-ROM/DVD disks. The computers have installed a version of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Access which are for use only with federal CD-ROMs or DVDs or with federal information downloaded from an Internet terminal, or through mediated access.
- CD-ROM/DVD checkout: Most CD-ROMS and DVDs can be checked out like books. Exceptions are those used heavily for reference. Any CD-ROM/DVD, which will not run effectively on the computers in room 314, may be checked out to any person with access to appropriate equipment elsewhere. Persons not affiliated with the University of Michigan system can be issued a special permission card for checkout of depository documents only.
Mediated access: The Documents Librarian will work with any patron to locate information available through the Internet using her desktop computer. Other reference librarians may be able to provide similar service using their office computers or the staff computer at the reference desk. Information can be downloaded and then transferred to floppies (multiple floppies if necessary). Patrons are expected to provide their own formatted 3.5” floppy disks. The librarian may provide printed output for brief items. More extensive printing may be done with files transferred to floppy disk and used on the CD-ROM computers in room 314. Currently (1/10/2005) there is no charge for printing from the computers in room 314. Free printing may be eliminated at any time.
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