The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries respect the rights of users and ensure their means to have free and open access to ideas and information, which is fundamental to the learning process and the university experience. To this end, the UT Arlington Library will protect intellectual freedom, promote information literacy, encourage lifelong learning, and develop collections, resources, and services that meet the informational and educational needs of the University's diverse user community. The UT Arlington Library respect the users' rights to privacy in accessing information so long as users obey applicable policies and laws.

The Internet, as an information resource, enables the UT Arlington Library to provide information beyond the confines of its own collections. It allows access to ideas, information, and commentary from around the world. While the Internet offers a wealth of material that is personally, culturally, and professionally enriching to individuals of all ages, it also enables access to some material that may be offensive, disturbing, inaccurate, or illegal under U.S. law. The UT Arlington Library cannot police this global network and takes no responsibility for its content. Rather, each individual user must take responsibility for his or her own activities on the Internet.

The use of the Internet must be consistent with the mission of the UT Arlington Library, the policies of the University, and the laws of the State of Texas. These policies and laws include but are not limited to:

• UT Arlington's policy on sexual harassment
• UT Arlington's computer usage policy
• Chapter 43, section 21, subchapter B of the Texas Penal Code
• The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (U.S. Copyright Office Summary) (PDF)

Access to the Internet over library computers is a privilege granted to users, and the Libraries reserve the right to suspend or amend this privilege if a user:

• Violates Texas obscenity laws
• Violates campus computer usage policies
• Harasses others, including but not limited to, sexual harassment
• Intentionally damages or destroys equipment, software, or data belonging to the Libraries or to other users, including adding, altering, or deleting files on library workstations or other library computer equipment
• Copies materials protected by copyright law beyond the bounds of fair use
• Violates software or database license agreements
• Violates or attempts to violate computer system or network integrity, including attempts to bypass network security functions, obtain restricted passwords, or alter the configuration of library workstations in any way
• Uses the Internet for any illegal activity

The decision to suspend or limit a patron's use will be made at the discretion of the Dean of Libraries. Use of the Libraries' workstations will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Revised 8.17.04