Library Electronic Classroom/Computer Lab Policy 

Information for Faculty:

The Facility:

• Located on the first floor of the James Earl Carter Library, and funded by student technology fees, the electronic classroom opened in the fall of 2001.  There are 20 Dell computers including one ADA station.  The computers have floppy, zip, and DVD drives and are connected to the internet.  In addition, there is a Dell computer for the instructor's use.  
• Microsoft Office products are installed on all of the computers as well as Netscape, Internet Explorer, and appropriate browser plug-ins.  Please contact Administrative Computing about additional software availability and/or requirements.
• The classroom also has a SmartBoard and an LCD ceiling-mounted projector system.  In addition to the 20 computer stations, the room will seat an additional 20-25 people.

Priority Use:

• The facility was converted from a lecture room to an electronic classroom/computer lab for the purpose of providing hands-on library instruction for the students of GSW and as an additional computer lab with extended hours of opening.
• To schedule library instruction for a class, please contact Mrs. Ru Story-Huffman, Reference Librarian, at 229-931-2850 or Ms. Kay Bell, Library Senior Administrative Assistant, at 229-931-2259.  Requests for a session may also be submitted via link from the Library's website (http://www.gsw.edu/~library/Libservices.htm).  When possible, please schedule instruction at least 10 days in advance of the session.
• Teaching faculty who need a facility where their students can have hands-on computer access and who do not have access to a computer lab in their own department or school may reserve the electronic classroom for individual sessions.
  • The facility can be reserved up to two weeks in advance by calling Ms. Kay Bell at 229-931-2259.  If Administrative Computing needs to load software on each computer station before an event, the reservation should be made sooner to allow enough time for the installation.
  • Since this facility is used primarily as a hands-on library instruction classroom and a computer lab, the classroom is not available for scheduling for an entire semester.
• Other GSW affiliated groups such as teaching circles, faculty committees, and Upward Bound may schedule the facility if there is a need for hands-on instruction or demonstrations. When the electronic classroom is not needed for instructional purposes, it functions as an open lab for writing term papers, etc.

Miscellaneous:

• Cancellations should be made as soon as possible so that other groups can use the classroom.
• Faculty who need to demonstrate programs that are not already available on the computers should make arrangements in advance with Ms. Kay Bell for scheduling and with Administrative Computing regarding program installation.  The library is not responsible for loading software.
• Instructors who have not used the classroom should contact Valarie Anthony, 229-931-2266, for a brief training session.  Ms. Anthony, the Access Services Supervisor, will set up the instructor's computer and projector prior to the instructional session.
• The Library does not provide additional audio-visual equipment for the classroom. Instructors who need VCR's, etc. should make prior arrangements with the Instructional Technology Center.

Information for Students:

• Hours of opening are posted next to the Computer Lab door.
• The Library reserves the right to close the lab for instructional sessions at any time.  As much advance notification as possible will be given and posted next to the lab door.
• All users must conform to the University Computer Policy (http://www.gsw.edu/~baf/manual.htm#Computer and Network Usage) and the Library's Policy for Public Use Computers (available at the Circulation Desk and at http://www.gsw.edu/~library/Public.htm).  If users are in violation of either policy, the library reserves the right to ask them to leave the computer lab.
• Food or beverages are not allowed in the Computer Lab unless they are in a book bag or briefcase.  There are no exceptions.
• The following patrons form priority for using the computers (in this order):
  • Faculty, staff, and students of Georgia Southwestern State University
  • Faculty, staff and students of the University System of Georgia

  *GSW student technology fees fund the facility.

• Recreational use of the computers is discouraged.  This includes use of the computers for chatting and instant messaging.
• Administrative Computing provides paper and toner for GSW students, faculty and staff.  Printing is limited to term papers, essays, spreadsheets, and other course-related projects.  GSW students, faculty and staff may request the exact number of sheets needed from the Lab Assistant or at the Circulation Desk.  Alternatively, they can bring their own paper.  Note:  Users who bring their own paper should only use paper intended for use in laser printers.
• Personal projects should not be printed in the Lab.  Internet sites, email, articles, etc. should be printed from the Library's public computers.
• Files saved to the hard drive may not be retrievable when you come back for them.  Download your files to a floppy disk.
• Students should bring their own formatted floppy disks with them.  The Library cannot supply disks to students.  Because of the risk of viruses, library personnel cannot format disks for students.
• Library personnel can provide students with manuals for Microsoft programs.  The most current manuals are shelved at the Reference Desk.
• All questions, problems, etc. concerning the use of programs should be directed to your instructor.
• If you computer freezes or has another technical problem, reboot the computer.  Login using the userid student and password abc123.  If that does not solve the problem, move to another computer or contact available library staff for assistance. Please note that REBOOTING WILL ERASE ANY WORK PREVIOUSLY SAVED TO THE HARD DRIVE.

(July 31, 2008)