To assist clients with their research and studies the Library provides a number of computer workstations. Our aim is to provide priority to core clients - the staff and students of the University. To this end the Library has decided to implement an authentication system to regulate access to computers. There are a number of reasons for this.

Through authentication the Library hopes to reduce queues by restricting computer use to authorised users. The results from the 2003 Rodski survey into client satisfaction with Library services identified the Number of computer workstations as one of the ten lowest performing factors. These results are supported by the long queues for computers and complaints to staff over access to workstations.

Adherence to copyright regulations. In October 2003, the AVCC (Australian Vice Chancellors Committee) issued a resource paper called "Content, University IT Systems and the Internet." This paper was issued in a revised version in December 2004 following the amendments to the Copyright Act rising from the passing of the US Free Trade Agreement. Among other things the AVCC recommends that Universities should develop, implement and update policies, which deter and prevent authorised users of university systems from infringing copyright material. A mechanism should be developed to ensure Authorised Users have read and agreed to relevant policies.

Library computers are heavily used - authentications is a mechanism to provide more equitable access to our core clients. The public workstations are the means to accessing an increasing amount of the Library's resources and they are a core service in providing access to information. These computers are being used for a number of things, including access to library and library related resources, access to University services such as MyUNSW, WebCT and UniMail. They also provide access to web email, such as Hotmail and can be used for general web surfing. Some workstations also provide access to Microsoft Office applications.

Not all these uses are appropriate for Library workstations. Some University related activities such as University web related activities should be done in a computer lab. However, because these labs have charges or limits for Internet access, students come to the Library because it is "free"; there is no cross-departmental charging on Internet access. Also computer labs are sometimes closed for classes or for other reasons. Library computers are therefore heavily used and a mechanism to provide more equitable access to our core clients has been needed for some time.

Authentication is equitable and reasonable. A 2003 CAUL (Council of Australian University Librarians) survey (http://www.caul.edu.au/surveys/InternetAccess2003.doc) showed that other University Libraries (eight out of the eighteen who responded) require authentication for their workstations and other Sydney based universities (Uni Sydney and UTS) also require authentication. At UTS physical access to the Library building is restricted and controlled by security guards. The University Librarian considers that having patrons authenticate before they can use the Library's computers is an equitable and reasonable course of action.