Computing Technologies

Systems Overview

ADA Use Computing

Behind the Scenes: Systems Infrastructure

Overview

The Nelson Poynter Memorial Library Office of Systems and Digital Technology supports the computing needs of Library staff, librarians, students and patrons. Local support for ILLiad, Ariel, Aleph and other library related technologies is the sole responsibility of Poynter Library Systems. The library's public computing equipment is provided to enable library users to access the collections and other information resources and services in support of curriculum and research needs. Library computing resources are governed by the library’s Public Computing Usage Guidelines or Student Computing Usage Guidelines, as well as the USF St. Petersburg Network Usage Agreement .

Student Use Computing

The first floor Information Commons Computing area houses thirty seven (37) Dell Optiplex desktop computers for students with valid USF NetID to access MS Office products, made available through a university-wide agreement with Microsoft. Students must supply a NetID username and password to access these systems. Available hardware and software specifications can be found by location using our Hardware & Software Resource Guide.

Public Use Computing

Public computing areas include the WebExpress area with three stand-up use computers, stack catalog machines, with eight computers on all three floors of the library, and a community / affiliated user area consisting of three computers. The WebExpress and stack catalog machines provide access to Online Libraries of the USF System Catalogs, the NetID system, and USF based web pages.

While the Nelson Poynter Memorial Library is open to the public, the primary mission is to serve the students, faculty, and other members of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP) community. Members of the general public are welcome to use the designated community use computers of the library as guests, as well as the WebExpress and Library Catalog Access computers, as long as they abide by the library's rules of conduct and do not interfere with the access for or service to the USFSP community.

USFSP students, faculty, and staff have priority use of all library computers. Users who are not from USFSP or the USF System may be asked to vacate computers if students or faculty are waiting.

Visitors are not permitted to use library computers for accessing social networks, gaming, or other recreational activities, including email for other than research. If observed using the computers for personal or recreational purposes, visitors may be asked to leave and future access to the library's computers may be denied.

For open Internet and email use, please visit a public library.

Lab Use Computing

The Bibliographic Instruction Lab is located on the second floor of the library in POY 218, and consists of twenty six (26) student workstations and one (1) instructor station. Used primarily for Library instruction courses and training, this lab is also available for USF based training as well as non-USF parties for a fee. The use of this room is by reservation only, please schedule access to the room through Tina Neville via email at Neville@nelson.usf.edu or by phone at (727) 873-4081.

Additional projection equipment available in the lab consists of an ELMO document camera and a PROXIMA projection system. For more specific information concerning the hardware and software of the lab, please visit the Bibliographic Instruction Lab Guidelines and Policies Page.

ADA Use Computing

Our library also provides assistive technology to patrons with disabilities through our various computer and hardware aids throughout the library. Optical and computer enhanced visual aids are available upon request through the reference desk. Housed in POY 137, the ADA Visual Aid Room includes a Telesensory Aladdin Classic, as well as various software for screen reading and magnification. Please visit our ADA Access Services page for more information as well as a list of available hardware and software.