Policies & Guidelines

• All library users are expected to respect the rights of others to have a safe campus environment conducive to learning.  The library, in particular, is promised to students as a quiet place for study and research on campus.
• Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to use the resources and services of the Shelton State Libraries, to ask for assistance when they need help in locating or using library materials, and to offer suggestions for improving services or for additions to library collections.
• Library users are expected to speak softly at all times to maintain a quiet environment for study and research.
• Cell phone ringers must be disabled, and all phone conversations must not be disruptive.
• Food and drink are not allowed in the library.
• Social conversation and recreational activities should be conducted outside the library.
• Library users are expected to comply with requests or directions from the library staff.
• When possible, groups should use study rooms so that discussions will not distract other library users.
• Library users have open access to all library resources, including the Internet.  Library users should be aware that some resources accessed or displayed may be offensive to others.  The College’s policy on  “Computer Resources Use”  applies to all computer and network use, including game-playing and recreational uses.
• Harassment of any kind is not permitted by the College in the library or elsewhere.
• Any activity that interferes with the operation and effectiveness of the library, the College network, or computer resources is considered a violation of the ‘Student Conduct Code’ published in the College catalog.
• Library users who violate the ‘Student Conduct Code’ or College policies published in the ‘Student Handbook’ section of the College catalog are subject to disciplinary procedures or loss of privileges.

The purpose of this web page is to provide educational information that promotes the Copyright Act to students and employees of Shelton State Community College.  Although every effort has been made to provide accurate information, this page is not intended to provide legal advice about copyright.  Shelton State is not liable for copyright infringements enacted by its students or employees.  If you have questions about specific items or situations and you can’t find the answers in the resources provided, contact the Library Director for help.

Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code).  These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work.  In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes infringement.

Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties.  In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed.  For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed.  A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees.  For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.

Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.

For information, please see the web site of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov, especially their FAQs at www.copyright.gov/help/faq.

For further information on education-specific usage, see Circular 21:  Reproduction of Copyrighted works by Educators and Librarians.

For further information on all aspects of copyright, see the list of the U.S. Copyright Office’s circulars.

Limited equipment is available in the Shelton State Libraries and may be checked out for temporary, short-term use among Shelton State employees for College-related activities.  Each employee must sign a circulation form each time they borrow this type of equipment, indicating responsibility for the equipment while it is in their possession.  Reasonable precautions must be taken for the protection and security of the equipment as per College policy.  Please refer to College policies and procedures for further guidance.

1. Equipment will not be circulated for office use except for use on special, temporary projects (such as grant preparations, special reports, etc.).
2. Equipment may not be used as substitutes for departmental purchases for regular use.  Departments or offices that require the use of equipment on a regular basis are expected to purchase their own equipment through their own sources of funds.
3. Equipment that is available in the instructor’s classroom will not be duplicated with circulating equipment unless classroom equipment is faulty and an alternative classroom cannot be utilized.
4. Circulation periods for equipment will be for specific time periods, not to exceed five working days, except under special circumstances that are negotiated in advance.
5. Employees are responsible for receiving and returning the equipment. If usage needs fall outside of library service hours, it is the responsibility of the employee to inform the library of this issue and to create a plan that maintains the equipment and returns it to the library at the earliest possible time.
6. Each employee who checks out equipment must return it within the specified time period or lose his/her privileges for use of such equipment.  Employees may reserve equipment as much as one year in advance by completing and receiving approval on a request form.
7. Training in the use of equipment  or of software which has been installed is the responsibility of the borrower, who may make appointments with members of the Shelton State Libraries Staff in advance for training in use of equipment.
8. Employees must provide their own supplies (e.g., flash drive, CDs, etc.).
9. All equipment should be returned in the condition in which it was loaned.  Permanent files may not be added to laptop computers, and changes may not be made to config.sys and autoexec.bat files.  Borrowed laptop computers must be returned with all temporary files deleted from the hard drive.  Backgrounds, desktops, and other customized features may not be permanently changed.
10. Equipment must be used for College-related activities and not for personal use.  Approved uses of equipment include the following:
    • College meetings (both on- and off-campus)
    • Inter-campus activities
    • Professional development meetings (including off-campus travel)
    • Participation in activities of professional organizations (such as SACS visiting teams)
    • Preparation of grants and other special reports
    • Use with presentation technology
    • Off-campus classes