Mission del Paso Library: Library Guidelines

In order to create an optimum environment for study, research and learning, library patrons are asked to adhere to the following regulations:

1. Noise: All of the areas of the library are considered quiet study areas. Electronic devices such as radios, cellular phones, beepers, etc. should not be used in the library. Cellular telephone conversations should be conducted outside the library. The library understands verbal interaction is necessary to conduct certain group activities, as well as conducting business at the circulation and other public service desk, however, library patrons should be considerate of other students, faculty and staff who are reading and studying by keeping voice and other sound levels as low as possible.
2. Food and beverages: Food and beverages pose a threat to library materials and furnishings. Do not bring them into the library. Drink containers, including water bottles, must be kept in backpacks.
3. Use of furniture: Library furniture is for the exclusive use of patrons who are reading or studying. Furniture should not be relocated or used for sleeping, as footrests, etc.
4. Library Materials: After using materials, please place them in the book trucks located throughout the library. Items may also be left on the tables. Do not try to re-shelve materials or leave them where they can be damaged (on the floor, stacked too high, on the copy machines, etc.)
5. Waste Paper and Trash: Patrons should clean up after themselves by placing waste paper and other trash in the waste receptacles located throughout the library.
6. While in the library, patrons are not allowed to ...
   • Smoke
   • Sleep
   • Eat or Drink
   • Solicit (try to sell merchandise or services.)
   • Sit or stand on work surfaces such as tables, counters, desks, etc.
   • Sit or sleep on the floor
   • Play music at a level audible to other persons
   • Physically, verbally or with gesture threaten, abuse, or assault another person.
   • Be drunk or disorderly
   Staff may call the campus police if any person committing any of these offenses or engaged in inappropriate behavior refuses to abide by the library policy. 
   At its discretion, the library may exclude from use or revoke borrowing privileges for anyone known to have violated any rule in this policy.

• Children under 17 MUST be accompanied by an adult, and must be supervised at all times.
• Library staff may reprimand disruptive children.
• If the disruptive behavior continues, a staff member will inform parents that their child is disturbing others.
• If parents refuse or are unable to control the child, a staff member may ask the family to leave.
• If the family refuses to leave, a staff member will summon the campus police.
• If children under 17 are left unattended in the library, a staff member will summon the campus police or will escort the children to the police department.
• At its discretion, the library may exclude from use or revoke borrowing privileges for anyone known to have violated any rule in this policy.

*Exceptions are students taking credit hours at EPCC, such as dual credit students and early college students. (Continuing Education students under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.) 

• Library telephones are for staff use only.
• The use of cellular phones, beepers and other electronic signaling devices is prohibited anywhere in the library, including the library classroom and study rooms. Patrons are asked to maintain a quiet atmosphere in the library. Please silence your cellular phones and beepers when entering the library. Violators will be asked to leave the library. Exceptions will be made when cellular phones or beepers are required for documented medical reasons.

• Patron's registration with the library shall be the validated I.D. card issued to students, faculty, and staff. No other identification is necessary.
• Residents of El Paso County may apply for a community user card. Minimum age for a community user is 17. The appropriate application form must be completed with proof of residence such as current driver's license, telephone deposit receipt, utility receipt, city or county tax receipt, and private/public school or university I.D. The community user card is valid for one calendar year from date of issue. Only the authorized card holder may use the card.
• Certain materials, including periodicals, reference books, and vertical file materials will be restricted to use within the library. Copies may be made for research or instructional use within the restrictions of copyright legislation.

Authorized checkout periods

• Students, faculty and staff may check out books for 3 weeks and Audio/Visual (A/V)  materials for 1 week.
• Community users may check out 2 items only; books for 3 weeks and AV materials for 1 week.
• Loan periods for reserve materials are specified by the instructor with options for library use only and overnight .
• Students and community users who have a total fine of $1.50 or more must pay the fine before any additional material can be checked out. 
• Lost items must be paid in full including a $10.00 processing fee per item.
• Materials may be transferred upon request from another EPCC library.

• Food and beverages pose a threat to library materials and furnishings; do not bring them into the library.
• Drink containers, including water bottles, must be kept in backpacks.

EPCC Students:

Use is OPEN access for E.P.C.C. students. This means first come, first served.

Community User:

Community users under age 17 are NOT allowed to use the computers unless they are accompanied by a parent or a guardian at all times. The computer will be assigned to the parent or guardian. Community users MUST request a computer, if one is available, at the circulation desk. 

Our students have PRIORITY of access.

1. Guidelines 
   • Community users MUST request a computer, if available, at the Circulation Desk.
   • E.P.C.C. students have priority of access. You may be asked to surrender your computer if a student needs it.
   • Users must be familiar with the application they are running. The Library will only provide assistance in handling minor problems such as logging in, paper jams, or program selection.
   • Please do not save to the C: drive; use a flash (USB) drive for saving documents.
   • The Library cannot guarantee a virus-free environment and will not be responsible for loss of documents.
   • Priority access will be given to El Paso Community College students, faculty and staff.
   • All work and printing must be completed 15 minutes before closing.
   • No use of personal or class software.
   • The library does not allow the download of personal or class software onto the library's computers. Please make arrangements with computer labs to view/use your software.
2. Procedures for Responsible Computing at El Paso Community College
   • In support of its mission of teaching, research, and public service, El Paso Community College provides access to computing and information resources for students, faculty, staff and community users, within institutional priorities and financial capabilities.
   • All who use the College's computing and information resources must act responsibly. Every user is responsible for the integrity of these resources.
   • All users of College-owned or College-leased computing systems must respect the rights of other computing users, respect the integrity of the physical facilities and controls, and respect all pertinent license and contractual agreements.
   • It is the policy of El Paso Community College that all members of its community act in accordance with these responsibilities, relevant laws and contractual obligations, and the highest standard of ethics.
3. Misuse of Computing and Information Resource Privileges
   Examples may include but not be limited to:
   • Accessing computers, computer software, computer data or information, or networks without proper authorization, regardless of whether the computer, software, data, information, or network in question is owned by the College. (That is, if you abuse the networks to which the College belongs or the computers at other sites connected to those networks, the College will treat this matter as an abuse of your El Paso County Community College computing privileges.)
   • Using computing facilities, computer accounts, or computer data for purposes other than those for which they were intended or authorized encroaching on others' use of the College's computers (e.g., disrupting others' computer use by game playing; by sending excessive messages, either locally or off-campus [including, but not limited to electronic chain letters.]
   • Printing excessive copies of documents, files, data, or programs.
   • Modifying system facilities, operating systems, or disk partitions.
   • Attempting to crash or tie up a College computer.
   • Damaging or vandalizing College computing facilities, equipment, software, or computer files).
4. Violations of these procedures may result in administrative and/or criminal actions 
   Such administrative action may include, but not be limited to:
   • Inspecting any files or programs in question.
   • Suspending or restricting the computing privileges of the violator.
   • It should be understood that nothing in these guidelines precludes enforcement under the laws and regulations of the State of Texas, any municipality or county therein, and/or the United States of America.
5. Wireless Network
   • Unauthorized use of the system is prohibited.
   • Usage may be subject to security testing and monitoring.
   • Use of E.P.C.C. computing resources must be in accordance with EPCC procedures for acceptable use of information technology resources and information security.
   • You have no expectation of privacy except as otherwise provided by applicable privacy laws.
   • By continuing to use the system you indicate your awareness of and consent to these terms and conditions of use.
   • Please refer to EPCC's Wireless webpage for additional information and guidelines. https://www.epcc.edu/Services/ITServiceCatalog/wireless​