Patrons of UNO's Criss Library are expected to follow all policies to ensure a safe and welcoming environment.
The following policies apply to using the library and its resources:
Responsible Use of Electronic Resources
Social Media & Networking Policy
Responsible Use of Electronic Resources
The Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library negotiates and maintains contracts with a large number of publishers and vendors to provide access to thousands of electronic resources in support of the university's teaching and research mission. Licenses with these publishers and vendors specify the permissions and restrictions governing their use.
Each user is responsible for complying with the terms and conditions of these licenses. Failure to do so can result in either temporary or possibly permanent loss of access to a resource for the entire university community.
Authorized Users
On campus access to licensed electronic resources is restricted to students, faculty, staff, and other authorized users including walk-in users.
Off campus access to licensed resources is limited to current UNO students, staff, faculty, and other authorized users registered with the Criss Library.
Authorized Uses
Electronic resources are available for use solely in support of the educational or personal research use of students, staff, faculty, and other authorized users.
In using these resources, licenses generally allow:
- Viewing, retrieving, displaying, and saving portions of the licensed material on an electronic storage media (e.g. diskettes, hard disks, flash drives)
- Printing single copies of portions of the licensed material
Prohibited Uses
Engaging in the following actions may result in the suspension or cancellation of access to an electronic resource for the entire UNO community:
- Systematically downloading materials (for example downloading an entire journal issue), large-scale downloading from databases to create other collections of data or the use of robots, spiders, crawlers, or any software designed to automatically browse the web or record web activity
- Systematically making printed or electronic copies of multiple portions of the licensed material
- Displaying or distributing any part of the licensed material on the Internet
- Using any portion of the licensed material for any commercial purpose
- Removing or altering copyright notices or other means of identification or disclaimers as they appear in the licensed material
Reproductions of licensed material by the Criss Library for any of its users are made only to the extent allowed in a resource's license agreement or under the provisions of the U.S. Copyright Law, section 108.
Reproductions provided to authorized users are with the understanding that copies will only be used for educational purposes and not to be reproduced for further distribution.
Social Media & Social Networking Policy
Social media and social networking platforms are powerful communication and community building tools. Social networking platforms are a viable means of developing a third place where community members may contribute to discussions and exchange information and ideas about aspects of education, the educational experience and institutions/organizations affiliated with higher education.
The Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library recognizes the usefulness of developing social media content and participating in online social networking to fulfill the purpose of the library to support the mission, vision, and values of the University of Nebraska Omaha.
Content of social media and participation within social networking platforms is guided by the same behavioral standards, laws, professional expectations and student conduct policies that govern interactions on campus—including, but not limited to:
Policy for Responsible Use of University Computers and Information Systems
Memorandum on Copyright Law and Compliance.
Dr. C.C. Mabel L. Criss Library reserves the right to modify or remove any messages, postings or comments to affiliated social-networking sites that include:
- All types of offensive language, including but not limited to obscene, racist, abusive, defamatory and threatening
- Pornographic or sexist references and images
- Libelous and/or slanderous statements
- Copyright and trademark violations
- Personal information
- Duplicate posts from the same individual
- Images or other content that are off topic and/or do not relate to the library forum
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library is not obligated to take any such actions, and will not be responsible or liable for any interactions or content posted by any participant in any library affiliated social networking forum, event or service.
In addition, Criss Library does not endorse content outside of that created by Criss Library staff.
By using any Criss Library related social networking services, participants agree to abide by the Social Media and Social Networking Policy, all UNO standards and guidelines and in addition, agree to indemnify the library and its officers and employees, from and against any and all direct or indirect liabilities, judgments, damages, claims, losses and costs (including attorney’s fees) incurred which arise out of or are related to posted content.
Children in the Library
- Criss Library facilities are designed for use by members of the campus community. Criss Library welcomes children of the community who are sufficiently mature to not disturb others' study when accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver.
- The safety and security of children is particularly important and is the responsibility of the parent or adult caregiver. Criss Library is open to the public, a situation that can present risks to children. Library Staff do not assume responsibility for a child's safety and comfort when they are unattended.
- A child aged 16 and under must be under the direct supervision of an adult who assumes responsibility for him or her while in the library.
- Parents and adults must monitor all activities and behavior of their children while they are in the library and are responsible for any damage to property done by the child.
- UNO students, faculty, and staff have priority use of computers.
- If a child is left unattended in the library, or in the event of an emergency situation, staff will notify campus security.
Lost & Found Policy
Do not leave purses, book bags, or any personal belongings unattended.
When an item has been found in, or on, the Library Facility/grounds it is immediately taken to the Main Service Desk and given to a staff worker.
The item is first inspected for external identification, if not found, further internal inspection will be conducted. If possible, an attempt to contact the owner of the item will be conducted. If and when the owner is located, the owner must provide identification to pick up the item.
An estimated value will be determined: if the item is estimated to have a value of $100.00 or less, the item is placed in the Lost and Found box located at the Main Service Desk.
If the estimated value of the item is in excess of $100.00 it will be given to the Administrative office for temporary storage. Items with a value of less than $100.00 will be maintained in the Lost and Found Box for at least 10 days but no longer than 30 days. At the end of that time frame, the items will be turned over to Public Safety for further action as deemed necessary by their Administration and Policies.
If the item is not complete or is reported as being damaged the owner will be given the option to notify Security to file a report of loss or damage. Should the owner choose to contact Public Safety regarding the loss or damage of their property, they will have to wait for the assigned security officer to respond and then proceed as the security officer's policy and procedure dictate. At this point the matter is in the hands of UNO's Public Safety staff and the completed Lost and Found report form will be filed with the Building Services Manager and Building Manager.