• Location and Facilities
  
• Number of Computer Users
  
• Hours of Use and Time Limit
  
• Saving Files and Documents
  
• Laptops
  
• Computer Problems or Technical Difficulties
  
• Prohibited Acts/Behavior
  

Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) Reading Area is equipped with 144 computer stations for public use, in addition to 40 study rooms. Computers are located on all seven floors of the Library, as well as within Specialized Libraries.

A centralized reservation system for the main reading hall and study room computers is located at the Computer Reservation Desk, Entrance level (E).

All computers have Internet access, as well as access to the wide selection of electronic resources offered by the BA within its premises.

Computers may be used only via reservation on a first-come-first-serve basis. To make a reservation, BA users must have a valid Library membership card or an entry ticket.

A computer workstation may only be used by one person at a time.

To ensure equal opportunities for all patrons, the Library has installed software on all computers to organize the time of each reservation. The duration of any computer reservation is a maximum of one hour.

• If the computer user does not activate his/her reservation within 10 minutes of the reservation by entering the activation code, the reservation will be cancelled automatically and the computer will be ready for a new user to reserve.
• The computer will automatically log off when the reserved time is over. All programs will shut down immediately, and the PC will be available for the next reservation.
• If the user wants to use the computer for more than one hour, he/she has to request a new reservation.

• Documents or personal files cannot be saved to the hard drives of the BA computers.
• Articles or e-files retrieved from databases and other electronic resources can be sent by e-mail to the user's personal e-mail account via MySpace* (Upon receiving an annual membership, the patron is guaranteed a 30MB folder on the BA database through which he/she can save their documents and eventually send them to their personal E-mail accounts. The patron is allowed to send a maximum data size of 10MB/hour).
• The Library is not responsible for the loss of data that may occur if the patron saves his/her documents without following the above regulations. For additional information regarding saving files and documents, check Laptops.
• Violators may be subject to penalties according to the level of damage caused to the BA hardware and/or software facilities.

Patrons are allowed to use their own laptops on Library premises. The BA provides electric sockets, and patrons can easily use the BA wireless Internet (BA-Guest), through which patrons can directly download e-files to their laptops.

Patrons are requested to report any technical difficulties with the computers or printers to the nearest Reference Desk as soon as the problem occurs. Patrons should not restart the computers, nor try to fix the problem on their own. Such problems should be only handled by BA staff.

• Since Library computers are intended for research and educational purposes; thus, games, chat rooms, and E-mail sites are prohibited. Patrons are prohibited from accessing pornographic or other obscene sites. Violators are subject to penalties instituted by the BA staff.
• Accessing private E-mail, using online chat programs and web games are not allowed.
• For security reasons, patrons' private external hard disks, all types of CD-ROMs and DVDs, flash memory devices, and/or any other types of external memories are not allowed to be used with BA computers anywhere in the Library.
• No external equipment or peripherals belonging to the patrons are allowed to be plugged into/or connected to the BA computers and/or networks. This includes portable computers, speakers, headphones, etc.
• BA computers, their multimedia equipment, and other adjacent peripherals and devices are made available for the rational and proper use of the BA patrons. They are Library property and should not be moved, unplugged, or misused in any way by the users.
• Users shall not turn off the monitor or shut down the computer after computer reservation time is over.
• Violators of the established rules and regulations are subject to penalty decided upon by the BA staff. Such penalties may include, but are not limited to, the cancellation of current computer reservation, fines, freezing or cancellation of Library membership, or other penalties according to the level of damage.
• Users are completely responsible for any computer damages that occur during the period of use. Upon identification of any breakdown in the computer, users must immediately notify the Reference Desk.

The printing charge is EGP 1 per page. Patrons may only print from a Library computer with a Smart Card. Smart Cards, that is prepaid cards, may be purchased at the Membership Desk at the Entrance level (E).

The BA is not responsible for any loss of data that may occur while printing if the patron fails to follow the printing steps accurately. A patron may refer to the Reference Desk librarian for additional help during the printing process.

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