Terms and Conditions

Purpose

This document defines the terms and conditions for participation in standalone classes of the Technology Training Program (TechConnect) at The New York Public Library to allow (a) the effective delivery of all class material in an organized and timely manner;  and (b) the safety and security of patrons and the staff in and outside of the classroom. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the organization reserves the right to revise or revoke these terms and conditions at any time. All patrons are required to abide by the Library’s General Rules & Regulations available at https://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/legal-notices/rules-and-regulations. A full list of NYPL policies are available for review at: https://www.nypl.org/policies.

Attendance & Participation

Attendance

Patrons will not be allowed to join 15 minutes after class begins (for both online and in-person classes). 

Code of Conduct

In the Classroom

In order to provide all patrons with the best learning environment possible, NYPL has established a  zero-tolerance policy for disrespectful and/or disruptive behavior from class participants. Therefore, NYPL reserves the right to remove a participant from a class at any time for : 

1. Disrupting the class, which includes disruption caused by lateness

2. Being disrespectful toward an instructor or another student in the class

3. Threatening an instructor or classmate

4. Committing an act of violence against a classmate or the instructor

Outside of the Classroom

If a class participant harasses, demeans, or threatens TechConnect students or staff via any means, including but not limited to: verbal and written exchanges and electronic communications, such as emails, online messaging or social media posts, NYPL reserves the right to remove participant from the class and -- if warranted -- bar them from being able to attend any other classes offered by the TechConnect program.

Students who do not follow the Library’s General Rules and Regulations can be asked to leave and can lose their Library privileges. They can also be arrested or be subject to other legal action.

Class Scheduling, Locations and Cancellations

All classes offered by NYPL are subject to cancellation, relocation and/or rescheduling without notice.

Class Registration

Registration is necessary at some locations. Check class descriptions at nypl.org/techconnect to verify the requirements for your class. If a class requires registration, patrons can register one week before the class is scheduled.

Registrants who are not present at the beginning of class forfeit their seat, and waitlisted patrons will be allowed to attend the class.

Purpose

This document defines the terms and conditions for participation in series-based classes of the Technology Training Program (TechConnect) at The New York Public Library (the “Library” or “NYPL”) to allow (a) the effective delivery of all course material in an organized and timely manner; and (b) the safety and security of patrons and staff in and outside of the classroom. The Library reserves the right to revise or revoke these terms and conditions at any time. All patrons are required to abide by the Library’s General Rules & Regulations available at https://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/legal-notices/rules-and-regulations. A full list of NYPL policies are available for review at: https://www.nypl.org/policies.

Attendance & Participation

Attendance

All patrons who have been accepted and agree to join a series-based program are expected to (1) arrive to classes on time; (2) attend each class in full; and (3) participate. Patrons who arrive up to  15 minutes after the class has begun will be counted as late. Patrons who arrive more than 30 minutes late will not be allowed to stay for the remainder of the class. Two latenesses will count as one full absence; and two absences will result in immediate dismissal from the course. Patrons should notify their instructor in the event of a medical or family emergency that prevents their attendance.

Participation 

Participation in an NYPL Class includes (1) the completion of all in-class exercises; (2) the completion of all individual assignments and/or projects; as well as (3) the full participation in and completion of any and all group assignments and/or projects. Failure to participate in accordance with the criteria listed above may result in removal from the course by class instructors.

Code of Conduct

In the Classroom

In order to provide all patrons with the best learning environment possible, NYPL has established a  zero-tolerance policy for disrespectful and/or disruptive behavior from class participants. Therefore, NYPL reserves the right to remove a participant from a course at any time for: (1) disrupting the class, which includes disruption caused by lateness; (2) being disrespectful toward an instructor or another patron in the class; (3) threatening an instructor or patron; or (4) committing an act of violence against a patron or instructor.

Outside of the Classroom

If a patron harasses, demeans, or threatens fellow patrons by any means, including but not limited to: verbal and written exchanges and electronic communications, such as emails, online messaging or social media posts, NYPL reserves the right to remove the patron from the class, and if determined necessary by NYPL in its sole discretion,  bar them from attending any other TechConnect class.

Patrons who do not comply with the Library’s General Rules and Regulations can be asked to leave and can lose their Library privileges. They can also be arrested or be subject to other legal action.

Class Scheduling, Locations, and Cancellations

All classes offered by NYPL are subject to cancellation, relocation and/or rescheduling without notice.

Class Registration and Placement

Placement and/or registration for all classes takes place anywhere from two to eight weeks prior to their start date. If a patron attempts to mislead the Library by submitting multiple interest forms for a course and using different names and/or email addresses, NYPL reserves the right to deny them entry into that course.

The SNFL Media Center (Studio Control Room and Live Room, Training Rooms, Media Workstations) is available to Library cardholders 18 years or older. You must be in good standing with the Library in order to use the facilities.  Cardholders under 18 years will be referred to the Teen Center’s Media Lab at SNFL. 

Cardholders must sign the Media Center Consent & Release Form prior to using the Center facilities. The Studio suite can be reserved by cardholders who have completed the Orientation and Assessment. Workstations can be reserved onsite or online.  Workstation priority will be given to users who are working on digital media projects (videos, music, podcasts, websites, photo editing, etc.). If you are using the workstations for web browsing or social media, you may be asked to relocate to a regular computer.

Please note that Center staff will not be available to provide one-on-one assistance on-demand in the Studio or at the Workstations. All are welcome to attend our digital media and equipment classes to learn about creating digital media projects on your own. 

All of the general behavioral guidelines for the Library apply to the Center space. Staff reserves the right to revoke cardholders’ access to the Center at any time for inappropriate behavior, unpaid equipment fees, or any other reason.

1. Studio Reservations

Users who have successfully completed the Orientation and hands-on Assessments can book sessions in the Studio.  Please note that the Studio reservation schedule is subject to change at any time without prior notice.

• The Studio is available in 3 hour sessions, up to 2 sessions per calendar month. 

• Setup, breakdown, and saving of work must be built into and cannot extend your Studio reservation time.  Users must stop recording at least 30 minutes before the session end to ensure appropriate time for breakdown and saving of work.

• The last session of each day must end 30 minutes before the Library closes to allow time for inventory.

• Reservations will be held for 15 minutes after they are scheduled to begin, after which the reservation will be canceled and counted as a no-show.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

• Cancellations for studio reservations must be made 72 hours in advance. Please use the online portal to cancel your reservation and notify staff as soon as possible so that we have time to re-book the space. 

• Late cancellations (less than 72 hours in advance) must be confirmed with Media Center staff.

No-booking penalties can be incurred for failure to observe the guidelines:

• No show: 2 week no-booking penalty

• Late cancellation: 1 week no-booking penalty

• Failure to check out on time: 1 week no-booking penalty

• Longer no-booking penalties will be incurred after repeated offenses.

Users may not leave Library equipment or control room unattended during the session.  Leaving the Studio for more than 10 minutes during a session may result in early cancellation.

2. Session Guidelines

You may add up to 5 guests to your session in your booking. 

• Guests must be 18 years and older, and may not enter the Studio until the cardholder who made the reservation has arrived and checked in.   Guests must sign the Consent & Release Form.

• As the cardholder with the reservation, you are responsible for your guests for the duration of the studio time.  Guests may not handle equipment unless they have also completed the Center’s assessments. 

Additional Guidelines:

• You may not live stream or broadcast from the Studio/Center.

• A maximum of 4 people can be in the Live Room at one time, and a maximum of 2 people can be in the Control Room. 

• Screw-top bottles are permitted only in designated areas. All other food, drinks, and other liquids are strictly prohibited in the Studio and Control Room. 

• Keep your valuables with you at all times including personal instruments and equipment.  The Library is not responsible for any personal items that are lost, stolen, or damaged at the Center. 

• You are not permitted to charge for sessions or services provided on the Library premises.

3. Equipment

Users who have completed the Assessments may also check out equipment to be used in the Studio and Control Room.  

• The Cardholder who reserves the production spaces and equipment is considered the main user and will bear responsibility for any damage or misuse of the equipment. Lost, damaged, or missing equipment fees will be assessed at value to the user’s Library card.

• Do not connect personal equipment to the Media Center equipment without prior approval by Center staff.  The Library is not responsible for damage to personal equipment.

• You are responsible for reporting any technical or equipment problems during your session to the Media Center staff immediately. Please do not attempt to troubleshoot equipment on your own.

4. Content Responsibility & Data Storage

• You are solely responsible for any content you create in the  Studio and at the workstations. You may not use the Library’s name, logo, or identify your content with the Library without formal approval by the Library.

• You are responsible for knowing the copyright status of any material you use in your digital media project. Library facilities may not be used to illegally upload, download, stream, record, or use copyrighted materials. 

• You are responsible for saving any content you create on an external storage device (eg. 16 GB+ large-capacity drive) You must be present at all times while projects are saving, digitizing, or rendering. Media Center staff will not convert media or finalize projects in the absence of the content owner.  While you may store data on the Center workstations temporarily, they will be routinely purged of all user data in accordance with regular NYPL practices. NYPL is not responsible for any work that is unsaved, lost, stolen, corrupted, or altered in the Center.

As a participant in a TechConnect Program at The New York Public Library I will receive instruction in the relevant software.

I grant the Library permission to use any work I create within the TechConnect Program for promotional and fundraising purposes. 

I further represent and warrant that to the extent my contributions to the TechConnect Program may incorporate any materials created by third parties outside of the TechConnect Program, they shall not infringe upon or violate their rights and I have secured their permission to use such materials. I agree not to use the Library's logo or other proprietary marks or otherwise attempt to publicly represent an affiliation with the Library. 

By participating in the TechConnect Program, I agree to be bound by the terms and conditions for any online or software services the Library uses to conduct the TechConnect Program, including but not limited to:

• Xcode

• Audacity

• Glitch

• Microsoft Office Suite

• Adobe Creative Suite

• Google Drive

• Native Instruments Komplete

• Audacity

• iZotope Music Production Suite

• Tinkercad

• Avid Pro Tools

• Logic Pro

• Unity Plus

• Replit

I understand that I am responsible for adhering to the rules and regulations of the Library and the TechConnect Program. 

If there arises any claim or litigation relating to my participation in the TechConnect Program, including but not limited to any charge by third parties that my designs violate or infringe their rights, I agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Library, its trustees, officers, agents and employees against any and all damages, claims, expenses or other liability arising in connection with such claim or litigation. 

The New York Public Library’s (“NYPL”) TechConnect department (“TechConnect”) will loan the following equipment to you: 1 chromebook with charging cord, 1 mouse, 1 mousepad, and a carrying case (the “Equipment”) solely for the purpose of doing the accessing your health information online (the “Program”). The Equipment list is below. You understand that your use of the Equipment is subject to the following terms and conditions, and by accepting the Equipment and signing this Agreement, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

• The Equipment is and will remain the property of NYPL at all times. The Library may request that you return the Equipment at any time. 

• You will be solely responsible for physical loss of or damage to the Equipment while in your possession during the loan period. You assume this liability as of the time you take possession of the Equipment. Your liability ends when you return the Equipment to NYPL TechConnect in good working condition, less reasonable wear and tear.

•  If the Equipment is lost, stolen, damaged, or not returned by the return date, you will be charged a fine to your NYPL library card account. For Equipment that is damaged, you will be charged a fine for the full cost of repair of the damage. For Equipment that is unreturned, you will be charged a fine for the replacement cost. Your NYPL library card privileges will be blocked until the Equipment is returned in good working condition or the fine is paid.

• You need to have a valid library card with no restrictions on your borrowing privileges in order to be eligible to borrow the Equipment.

• You understand that you must return the Equipment to NYPL after using it for one month.

• You agree to return the Equipment to NYPL in good working condition.

• You will take care of the Equipment and use reasonable efforts to avoid damaging the Equipment.

• If the Equipment is damaged or stolen, you must notify NYPL immediately by contacting the TechConnect team at techconnect@nypl.org.

• You will not disassemble or attempt to repair the Equipment. You will not alter or add to the Equipment in any way (e.g., upgraded processor, expanded memory, or extra personal software) without obtaining the prior approval of NYPL TechConnect staff.

• You will not loan out or allow others to use the Equipment.

• You will know where the Equipment is at all times.

• You will safely store the Equipment when not in use.

• You understand that NYPL may use any appropriate means to collect the Equipment and any portion of the fine owed to NYPL.  

• You must observe best practices related to the physical and network security of the Equipment.

• You will ensure that the Equipment is not used for unlawful purposes, personal use, or for work for an employer. 

• You must ensure only software with valid licenses is loaded onto the Equipment. You are liable for any and all illegal software that is loaded onto the Equipment during the loan period. 

• You understand NYPL TechConnect reserves the right to not loan you the Equipment for any reason in NYPL’s sole discretion.

• You understand that while you are using the Equipment, you are required to follow NYPL’s PC Use Rules and Regulations Policy which is available on our website, nypl.org/. Violations of this policy may affect your NYPL library privileges, including but not limited to, denial of future laptop use.

• NYPL will not be responsible for any damages or losses that arise out of your use of the Equipment. 

Returns

The Equipment is due back to NYPL TechConnect one month after checking the device out.

You must return the Equipment in good working condition with all parts and accessories. If you fail to return the Equipment or if you return the Equipment in a damaged or inoperable condition, you are responsible and will  be charged a fine for the full cost of repair or replacement of the Equipment. 

• Prior to returning the Equipment, you must remove all files, including personal files. NYPL is not responsible for maintaining files left on the Equipment after its return. 

• NYPL TechConnect staff will conduct a full inspection of the Equipment within 7 business days after you have returned the Equipment. Any issues found with the Equipment during the inspection process will be communicated to you via email. 

• You will receive an email from a NYPL TechConnect staff member at least two weeks before the end of the loan period with further directions for Equipment return procedures.  

Release

You hereby release and forever discharge NYPL, its Trustees, officers, employees, agents and volunteers (the “Released Parties”) from any responsibility, personal liability, claims, loss or damage (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or in conjunction with your use of the Equipment. You shall indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, liabilities or damages of whatever nature, including, but not limited to, claims of bodily injury, death, personal injury or property damage, by whoever made, as well as the cost of litigation and attorneys’ fees arising out of, based on or in any manner related to your use of the Equipment. 

The New York Public Library’s (“NYPL”) TechConnect department (“TechConnect”) will loan the following equipment to you: Audio Recording Kit (SM7B Microphone, Cloudlifter, Mic Stand, and Mic Cables, Audio Interface, and Monitor Headphones) or Photo/Video Kit (Canon EOS R50 Mirrorless Camera, 18-45mm Lens, Video Microphone, and Tripod Grip) (the “Equipment”). The Equipment list is below. You understand that your use of the Equipment is subject to the following terms and conditions, and by accepting the Equipment and signing this Agreement, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

• The Equipment is and will remain the property of NYPL at all times. The Library may request that you return the Equipment at any time. 

• You will be solely responsible for physical loss of or damage to the Equipment while in your possession during the loan period. You assume this liability as of the time you take possession of the Equipment. Your liability ends when you return the Equipment to NYPL TechConnect in good working condition, less reasonable wear and tear.

•  If the Equipment is lost, stolen, damaged, or not returned by the return date, you will be charged a fine to your NYPL library card account. For Equipment that is damaged, you will be charged a fine for the full cost of repair of the damage. For Equipment that is unreturned, you will be charged a fine for the replacement cost. Your NYPL library card privileges will be blocked until the Equipment is returned in good working condition or the fine is paid.

• You need to have a valid library card with no restrictions on your borrowing privileges in order to be eligible to borrow the Equipment.

• You understand that you must return the Equipment to NYPL after using it for one week.

• You agree to return the Equipment to NYPL in good working condition.

• You will take care of the Equipment and use reasonable efforts to avoid damaging the Equipment.

• If the Equipment is damaged or stolen, you must notify NYPL immediately by contacting the TechConnect team at techconnect@nypl.org.

• You will not disassemble or attempt to repair the Equipment. You will not alter or add to the Equipment in any way (e.g., upgraded processor, expanded memory, or extra personal software) without obtaining the prior approval of NYPL TechConnect staff.

• You will not loan out or allow others to use the Equipment.

• You will know where the Equipment is at all times.

• You will safely store the Equipment when not in use.

• You understand that NYPL may use any appropriate means to collect the Equipment and any portion of the fine owed to NYPL.  

• You must observe best practices related to the physical and network security of the Equipment.

• You will ensure that the Equipment is not used for unlawful purposes, personal use, or for work for an employer. 

• You must ensure only software with valid licenses is loaded onto the Equipment. You are liable for any and all illegal software that is loaded onto the Equipment during the loan period. 

• You understand NYPL TechConnect reserves the right to not loan you the Equipment for any reason in NYPL’s sole discretion.

• You understand that while you are using the Equipment, you are required to follow NYPL’s PC Use Rules and Regulations Policy which is available on our website, nypl.org/. Violations of this policy may affect your NYPL library privileges, including but not limited to, denial of future laptop use.

• NYPL will not be responsible for any damages or losses that arise out of your use of the Equipment. 

Returns

The Equipment is due back to NYPL TechConnect one week after checking the device out.

You must return the Equipment in good working condition with all parts and accessories. If you fail to return the Equipment or if you return the Equipment in a damaged or inoperable condition, you are responsible and will  be charged a fine for the full cost of repair or replacement of the Equipment. 

• If applicable, prior to returning the Equipment, you must remove all files, including personal files. NYPL is not responsible for maintaining files left on the Equipment after its return. 

• NYPL TechConnect staff will conduct a full inspection of the Equipment within 7 business days after you have returned the Equipment. Any issues found with the Equipment during the inspection process will be communicated to you via email. 

• You will receive an email from a NYPL TechConnect staff member at least two weeks before the end of the loan period with further directions for Equipment return procedures.  

Release

You hereby release and forever discharge NYPL, its Trustees, officers, employees, agents and volunteers (the “Released Parties”) from any responsibility, personal liability, claims, loss or damage (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or in conjunction with your use of the Equipment. You shall indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, liabilities or damages of whatever nature, including, but not limited to, claims of bodily injury, death, personal injury or property damage, by whoever made, as well as the cost of litigation and attorneys’ fees arising out of, based on or in any manner related to your use of the Equipment.