Helpful Links

Navigate OHIO

Connect With Us

Ohio University Libraries
30 Park Place
Athens, OH 45701

Library Technology Policies

Library Computer Use

All use of Libraries computers must comply with Ohio University’s policy on Computer and Network Use.

Priority for use of Libraries computers and equipment is given to academic use. Those using computers and equipment for non-academic purposes may be asked to vacate the equipment when others are waiting to engage in academic use. Similarly, priority for use of computers in the Multimedia Center and other computers with specialized software or equipment is given to those making use of that equipment.

See Computing & Printing for descriptions of the software and other computing and printing options available on Libraries computers. Due to maintenance and security considerations, additional software cannot be installed on most Libraries public computers (see policy on Computer Software). Students wishing to install their own software are encouraged to explore the OHIO IT Student Laptop Loan Program.

Software on the Public-Use Computers

Over the past several years, there has been a significant reduction in the level of IT support available to the Libraries, with a simultaneous increase in the amount of equipment and software requiring support. As a result, the Libraries are not able to accommodate all requests for software installation on the public computers. In general, the Libraries cannot support software installation for single users, assignments, or courses. 

As an alternative, the Libraries recommend consulting the Office of Information Technology about their Virtual Desktop Service. OHIO IT may be able to set up a virtual computer with the software needed for your class or assignment, which students can log into remotely from the Libraries computers, or their own computer or mobile device (including PCs, Macs, iOS, and Android devices). Instructors seeking to accommodate a small minority of students who do not have their own computers are also encouraged to explore OHIO IT's Student Laptop Loan Program.

The Libraries may consider requests for software installations that are expected to serve a wide variety of students and courses (e.g. upward of 100 launches on Libraries computers per semester). Please keep in mind the following:

  • Requests should be made one month ahead of the date when you wish the software to be available, and are not guaranteed to be fulfilled.
  • Software must be licensed for a lab environment. Software cannot be installed using a trial license or individuals’ personal licenses.
  • Software must have completed OHIO Technology Review.
  • In general, software offerings are kept uniform across Libraries public computers; the Libraries are not able to install software on a subset of computers and “reserve” those computers for use by members of a specific class. Computers dedicated to specific purposes (for example, those in the Multimedia Center or the Music & Dance Library) may have unique software installed as appropriate to those purposes.
  • Since the Libraries’ public computers do not permanently store individual user data, software that can function only by storing user-specific data persistently on the local machine may not function as intended.
  • Temporary installations (e.g. for teaching a single session) are not supported.

Privacy on the Libraries Website

This website collects A) data you voluntarily provide and B) anonymous data about how you use the website. This data is used to either provide a service to your or as a means to improve the content or performance of the service or website.

Information You Voluntarily Provide

The Ohio University Libraries website offers services, which, if you choose to use, may require you to provide additional data about yourself, such as your address, email, or phone number. Ohio University Libraries uses this data for its stated, intended purpose and will not distribute this data to third parties, except to the extent required by law. We adhere to Ohio University’s records management and archiving policy regarding the retention and destruction of this data. We have reasonable measures in place to secure this data; however, there is not guarantee we can always prevent or protect against malicious activity.

Website Use

This website uses a third party application, Google Analytics, to collect and process data about your activity on this website. None of the data collected by Google can personally identify you. Google Analytics is used in compliance with Google’s Terms of Service. To learn more about Google’s use of data, see How Google uses data when you use our partners’ sites or apps or Google’s Privacy Policy.

The Libraries’ website also links to external websites and online resources. Ohio University Libraries is not responsible for the privacy, security, or content of these external websites or online resources. We recommend you read the privacy or security policies, if available, of these external websites or online resources.

Data collection by both Google Analytics and external websites can be limited by using private or incognito browsing, or by disabling cookies via your browser settings. However, disabling cookies can limit the functionality of some web sites.

Consent

By using this website you consent to the terms of this privacy statement.