Community Access Terminals (CATs) Use Policy

The Wayne State University Library System seeks to provide networked computing access for the community for scholarly, educational, informational, governmental and professional development purposes.  Information technology resources are limited, and should be used wisely and with consideration for the rights and needs of others.

This policy applies to all users of Community Access Terminal computers located in the Library System.  All users must comply with this policy, the general policies of the University Library System and Wayne State University, as well as local, state and federal laws.  Any behavior that is disruptive to library use or operations cannot be tolerated. Persons who violate this policy will be asked to leave the library and may lose their CATs privileges. Violations of the Wayne State University Acceptable Use policy will result in the penalties therein. 

  1. Use of Wayne State University computers assumes that a patron or guest understands the University’s Acceptable Use Statement.
  2. Labman is installed on all public computers.  Anyone wishing to use a public computer must obtain a login. 
  3. At certain library locations, some workstations have been set aside for use without requiring identification.  However, anonymous email (yahoo, hotmail, juno) is prohibited on these workstations.  Users who wish to access such email must present a valid ID to obtain an account.
  4. Access to the Community Access Terminals is available to non-WSU affiliates, such as students and faculty from other institutions, WSU Alumni/ae, and members of the community.  Other computers in the library are for use by current WSU students, staff, faculty, and retirees, and require WSU identification.
  5. Computer use is available on a first-come, first-served basis for the current day unless otherwise limited based on workstation availability.
  6. Computer sessions are limited to one hour.  However, if there are no other persons waiting to use the computers, a session may be extended by logging in again.  A limit on the number of sessions may be imposed.
  7. Parents or legal guardians must assume responsibility for deciding which library resources are appropriate for their children. The Library System has a primary audience of adults. Young children (under 14) may not be left unsupervised in the Libraries. Parents or guardians may use their own CATs ID to login for their children under 14 ONLY if that parent or guardian remains at the workstation with the child and is actively supervising their use.
  8. All affiliates and guests, including children, who are destructive or distract other library users will be asked to leave, and if they do not, will be reported to Public Safety.  Patrons engaged in the following will be asked to leave and/or reported to Public Safety:
    1. Fighting, provoking to fight, or engaging in disorderly or boisterous conduct;
    2. Using loud, offensive, abusive or threatening language;
    3. Indecent exposure, sexual acts or behavior
  9. Users should be aware that some materials on the Internet may be considered controversial, offensive, inappropriate for children, or inaccurate.
  10. The Library System does not provide support for non-WSU e-mail accounts, on-line chat groups, or networked and Internet games.
  11. We ask for your consideration in keeping the computer areas clean for all users by removing all personal items from the computer areas when you are finished.
  12. Computer equipment and/or software may not be altered or damaged in any way. Software may not be installed or run on a library computer, this includes software or programs downloaded from the Internet. Additionally, users may not:
    1. Make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software;
    2. Make any attempt to alter system configurations;
    3. Make any attempt to circumvent the login system
    4. Violate copyright laws or software licensing agreements
    Users who attempt to circumvent the login system will be asked to leave the library and may lose their CATs privileges.
  13. Users may not store information on any computer’s hard drive (C: drive).  Files may be saved to an IBM formatted 3.5” floppy disk using the A: drive.
  14. Due to problems of space and excess noise, no more than two persons are permitted at each computer station/carrel.