Space Reservation Policies

Reservation and Space Policy

All users and staff of the Research Data and Design Commons are bound by the University of Delaware’s Policy for Responsible Computing.

All the computers in the Research Data and Design Commons are restarted overnight and any work left on the computer will be removed with the restart. To prevent the loss of work, make sure any projects are saved to an external device or cloud-based storage. 

The Research Data and Design Commons, Morris Library, and library staff are not liable for any loss, damage or expense sustained by any user due to the use of services, equipment, software or information.

Who has access to and use of the spaces in the Research Data and Design Commons?

  • Access to the general-use computers in the open area, workstations, studios and instruction room is available to individuals with a valid UD ID or who have a valid ID card from Delaware State University or Delaware Technical and Community College.
  • Individuals under the age of 18 who are not University of Delaware students may use the equipment in the Commons only if accompanied by a parent or guardian who holds one of the accepted IDs.
  • General-use computers in the open areas can be used whenever the “library is open URL” and the instruction room can be used as long as there is not a class using the space. 
  • Studios and Workstations can only be used when the “Research Data and Design Commons Service Desk is open url” and they close one hour before the service desk closes. 
  • Workstations can be reserved for a maximum of four-hour time blocks.
  • Studios can be reserved for a maximum of two-hour time blocks. 
  • Users may connect their own personal devices (such as headphones) to the equipment; however, support for such equipment may not be available.
  • Users should not disconnect any equipment in the space. Any issues with the equipment installed in the space should be reported to the service desk immediately.

Reserving Studios and Data Analysis and Visualization Workstations

The following policies govern the use of these spaces in the Research Data and Design Commons:

  • Reservations can be made for the Studios and Data Analysis, and Visualization Workstations by individuals with a valid UD ID, a valid UD email addressor who have a valid ID card from Delaware State University or Delaware Technical and Community College.
  • If not being used for data analysis or multimedia work, a reservation request may be denied. A reservation request may be denied for any reason. 
  • Data and Design Studios and Data Analysis and Visualization Workstations close one hour before the Research Data and Design Commons service desk closes.
  • Multiple spaces may not be reserved by the same user or group, except in special circumstances approved by Research Data and Design Commons staff.
  • Patrons who abuse the space reservation procedures may be blocked from using the reservation system.
  • Reservations of the spaces may be made a maximum of one week in advance.
  • Space reservations should be made through our online reservation system. If you have any trouble with the system or need further assistance, visit the Research Data and Design Commons Service Desk or call (302) 831-8832 during operational hours.
  • The reservation is only approved after you receive an email confirmation. 
  • To reserve the space online:
    • Find the space you would like to reserve.
    • You must log in with a valid UDelNet ID and password.
    • When reserving online, all form areas should be filled out completely and accurately. Inaccurate or incomplete information may lead to a reservation rejection.
    • A reservation is only approved with an approval/confirmation email. You may receive a submission email which is not an approval email. 
  • Individuals who reserved the space should be present when checking in at the Research Data and Design Commons service desk. We may request UD ID to confirm booking of space. 
  • All users must check in at the Research Data and Design Commons Service desk to be let into the space. 
  • Users can only be in the space for the length of their reservation. Once your reservation time has expired, you should leave the space.
  • Multiple spaces may not be reserved by the same user or group, except in special circumstances approved by Research Data and Design Commons staff.

Renewal of Reservations

  • Reservations can only be extended in person and within the last 15 minutes of your reservation time. Please “check-in” at the Research Data and Design Commons Service Desk 15 minutes prior to the end of your reservation to determine availability of space after your time is up. If there is availability of the space after your reserved time, you may reserve it for an additional max amount of time. 

Cancellation of Reservations

  • Please remember that this is a heavily-used area. If any reservation must be canceled, the person who made the reservation should contact the Research Data and Design Commons staff by phone at (302) 831-8832 soon as possible.
  • In the event a person or group scheduled for a reservation is more than 15 minutes late, the reservation will be canceled automatically and the room made available for others to reserve the space.