Trinity students, faculty, and staff have priority use of electronic and microform workstations*.  Non-Trinity users may be asked to vacate a machine if primary users need to use the workstation. Computer workstations are to be used to provide access to Library-owned electronic resources. The workstations may not be used with external resources or programs brought in by users.  Exceptions to this policy for Trinity students, faculty, or staff may be considered by the Reference staff.  Excessive recreational use of the computers (e.g. game-playing and chat-room services) and use for purposes of private financial activities (e.g., conducting business, eBay) is inappropriate.  The Library reserves the right to require, at any time, that a computer user engaged in such activities cease doing so.  Some electronic equipment (such as access to Internet and Quest workstations) may be restricted to use by Trinity users only.  Some electronic products and services are available only to Trinity students, faculty, and staff.  This includes subscription services, such as ValueLine and SciFinder Scholar.  Use of Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.) is restricted by license to members of the University community and is not available to members of the general public.

Sign-in and ID display requirements for non-Trinity users to use computers

In addition to ensuring compliance with the internal policies outlined above, Trinity must abide by a federal law known as the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (CALEA).  This law requires telecommunications carriers--including libraries that grant in-house Internet access to members of the public--to design or retrofit their networks to permit duly authorized law enforcement agencies to track network activity, even down to the level of a single identifiable user.  Non-Trinity users requesting computer access will need to show personal identification and sign in at the Circulation Desk, where they will receive a guest computer account name valid for that day only. 

We thank you for your patience and cooperation.

More information and contact links:

AskCALEA (The FBI's CALEA Implementation Unit)

Title 47 U.S.C. (Federal law codifying CALEA)

Federal Depository Library Program Internet Use Policy Guidelines

For questions regarding public access to government information online, please contact the GPO Customer Contact Center at 866-512-1800 (toll-free), Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., EST.

Trinity's Congressional Representatives:

Congressman Lamar Smith (Texas District 21)
2184 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4321

Senator John Cornyn
517 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

*Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) Use Policy

The Coates Library participates in the Federal Depository Library Program, and offers free and easy access to online and print FDLP materials to any person.  Free use of a computer workstation is provided to the public for the purposes of accessing government information, in formats including DVDs, CD-ROMS, the library catalog, and the Internet.  Requiring non-Trinity patrons to show ID and use a temporary computer password for the purpose of accessing government information is not considered a barrier to free and easy access, and is within policy guidelines set by the Government Printing Office. Users may also be subject to time limits. Reference and research assistance can be obtained at the Help Desk generally during business hours, and can be secured by appointment by contacting the Government Documents librarian by email or at (210) 999-8176.  For more information on Trinity University's participation in the Federal Depository Library Program, visit: http://lib.trinity.edu/servcols/govdocs/govinfo.shtml.

Federal Depository Library Program Internet Use Policy Guidelines

For questions regarding public access to government information online, please contact the GPO Customer Contact Center at 866-512-1800 (toll-free), Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., EST.