The Cerro Coso library supports the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics, which strives to "protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted." The Cerro Coso library only uses personal information provided to the college by the patron in order to fulfil the patron’s library service needs. The library will never disclose information such as reference questions posed, reading materials consulted (including websites and databases), or the identity of its users to anyone, except as required by law. 

In an effort to safeguard patron privacy, the library does not retain most student contact information and other personally-identifiable information beyond the end of the semester, except in cases of accounts with outstanding fines, overdue materials, or other issues. The library utilizes databases that encrypt and secure any personal information they collect. See the general Cerro Coso Community College Privacy Notice regarding what electronic information may be collected by the college and the library. Please note that external links provided on the library website are governed by the privacy policies of the respective websites, not the library, and may track and share personal information with other third parties.

The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17 of the U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies of copyrighted material.

Video Copyright

All videos owned by Cerro Coso Community College Library may be viewed by students in the library on equipment supplied by the library. Faculty may check out videos for use in their classes.

WARNING: Federal law provides severe civil and criminal penalties for the unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or exhibition of copyrighted motion pictures and video tapes. (Title 17, United States Code, Sections 501 and 506.) The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigates allegations of criminal copyright infringement. (Title 17, United States Code, Section 506).

Library Reserve Copyright

Photocopying one copy of an article from an owned journal title or a chapter from an owned volume at the request of a faculty member for the purpose of Library Reserve fits within Copyright guidelines of Fair Use.

Multiple Copies made for Course Reserves:

• The amount of material should be reasonable (discretionary designation) with respect to the total amount of material assigned for one term of a course taking into account the nature of the course, its subject matter and level, 17 U.S.C. 401(1) and (3).
• The number of copies should be reasonable (discretionary designation) in light of the number of students enrolled, the difficulty and timing of assignments, and other courses which may assign the same material, 17 U.S.C. 107(1) and (3).
• Material should contain some form of copyright notice (17 U.S.C. 401).
• The effect of photocopying the material should not be detrimental to the market for the work. In general, the library should own at least one copy of the work, 17 U.S.C. 107(4). (From the ALA Model Policy Concerning College and University Photocopying for Classroom, Research and Library Reserve Use, March '82.)
• Multiple copies of a copyrighted article may be requested by a faculty member and put on reserve by the library if time does not allow for copyright permission to be granted.
• These materials should be returned to the faculty member when they are removed from reserve.

For more information on copyright and fair use, please visit the Citing Sources guide's Copyright & Fair Use tab.

Access to computer resources imposes responsibilities and obligations on the part of users. Users, therefore, are expected to demonstrate respect for others' rights including the right to access information freely and the right to work in a secure, harassment-free environment.

The following policy statements, as well as all local, state, and federal laws relating to copyrights, security, first amendment rights, and sexual harassment statutes shall apply to students, employees, and other users of Kern Community College District's computing facilities.

All users are expected to understand and follow College/District guidelines for use of computer resources.

Access to computers will be based on the following priorities:

• Students, faculty, and staff attending scheduled courses or short-term classes and/or training programs.
• Students working on class assignments or research related to class assignments.
• All others on a first come first served basis.

Inappropriate and unauthorized computer uses, subject to disciplinary action as listed below, include the following:

• Cheating, plagiarizing, furnishing false information, or performing acts of academic dishonesty.
• Disrupting the normal operation of the Colleges and/or District.
• Monopolizing resources to create unnecessary traffic, broadcasting inappropriate electronic mail and messages; transmitting electronic chain letters or other requests for money; distributing media known to contain computer viruses.
• Copying, distributing, either free or for monetary gain, copyrighted software or electronic information without paying the specified fee.
• Unauthorized sharing and/or attempting to access computer accounts, passwords, and codes of other users.
• Unauthorized commercial use of College or District computer resources for individual or private gain.
• Inappropriately transmitting, receiving, or copying obscene or abusive materials.
• Accessing or attempting to access student or employee information for any purpose not specifically job related.
• Unauthorized use of College or District resources to play games or participate in multi-user interactive entertainment.
• Unauthorized storing or installing of personal software on College or District computers.

Offenders will be subject to any and all of the following:

• Suspension or Loss of computing and networking access
• College disciplinary actions
• Civil proceedings
• Criminal prosecution

For updated college policy, please view the document under KCCD Board Policy Chapter 3: AP 3720: Computing and Network Use.