Are you a State Government staff development trainer?  Are you interested in using the State Library's Online Programming Tool (OPT) for an online meeting?  As a service to you, the State Library offers use of its OPAL room.  The OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries) room allows up to 25 simultaneous users, includes VOIP, text chat, and co-browsing.  All you have to do is install a safe and simple to use plug in called tcConference.  State Government employees may use the library's OPT in one to two hour increments. For an overview of the service and to schedule your session, contact Dr. Curtis R. Rogers at 803-734-8928 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Enter the State Library's OPAL Room

Archive of SC OPAL sessions.

South Carolina State Library OPT Terms of Use

Welcome to the South Carolina State Library’s Online Programming Tool (OPT), which is a service operated through OPAL (Online Programming for all Libraries). OPAL is a collaborative effort by libraries of all types to provide cooperative web-based programming and training for library users and library staff members. These live, online events are held in an online room where participants can interact via voice-over-IP, text chatting, and synchronized browsing. OPAL allows library patrons and library staff members to participate in online library programs from anywhere. By collaborating within OPAL, libraries are able to develop online programs together and offer a rich array of public online programs for all library users. Examples of OPAL public online programs include book discussion programs, interviews, special events, library training, memoir writing workshops, and virtual tours of special digital library collections. Participating OPAL libraries develop and deliver online programs, events, and meetings using software from Talking Communities. OPAL is administered by the TAP Information Service, a company that helps organizations innovate.

By accessing or using the State Library’s OPT, you (the "User") signify that you have read, understand and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use ("Terms of Use" or "Agreement"). We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change, modify, add, or delete portions of these Terms of Use at any time without further notice. If we do this, we will post the changes to these Terms of Use on this page and will indicate at the top of this page the date these terms were last revised. Your continued use of the Service after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms of Use. If you do not agree to abide by these or any future Terms of Use, do not use or access (or continue to use or access) the Service. It is your responsibility to regularly check the Site to determine if there have been changes to these Terms of Use and to review such changes.

Eligibility

The State Library’s OPT is intended solely for South Carolina library staff members, patrons, and South Carolina State Government Employees. The South Carolina State Library reserves the right to assess user fees at a later date.

Registration Data; Account Security

The South Carolina State Library does not collect any user data or account information with the OPT. No passwords are necessary and users do not have to set up accounts. Use is available by logging into the SCSL OPAL “room” located at http://www.conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc4d70d14f610. Username is your regular name (either just first and last or first) and no password is required.

Users who are moderating sessions must first obtain instruction on how to use the service from a staff member of the State Library and upon such training will be provided with a moderator password.

HelpDesk

The State Library IT department will provide limited assistance in troubleshooting and assisting with the installation of the plug-in associated with the Service. For more information or assistance, email Ed O’Neill at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   or call 803-734-8655. Mr. O’Neill is available to test OPAL connectivity for microphones, headphones and network. Please contact him at least 24 hours before your scheduled OPAL session.

Users may visit http://www.talkingcommunities.com/tcuman/index.php to access the online manual for the plug-in.

TalkingCommunities and tcConference

What is tcConference?

tcConference is an effective online tool used to conduct audio/visual meetings between two or more people without leaving the convenience of your office or home.

Who uses tcConference?

tcConference users cover a large spectrum of the business and organizational world. Several examples are:
· Higher education
· Governmental agencies
· Churches
· Libraries
· Governing boards
· Network marketing groups
· Large and small businesses

Why do organizations use tcConference?

· Saves time - alleviates the need for travel across town or between cities
· Saves money - No costly travel expenses or long distance charges
· Effective communications tool - meeting members can see the presentation and it allows for two way communication, both voice and text.
· Available to large and small organizations
· Easy to learn
· Reliable
· Available any hour of the day and night
· Cuts across time zones
· Presentations can be recorded and played back later so no one has to miss the information in the meeting.
· Is compatible with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
· Can be used worldwide.

What is required to start conducting tcConference sessions?

· High speed Internet connection preferable, although not essential
· PC Computer using Windows Operating System
· Windows Explorer
· A PC microphone with headset or speakers
· A Talking Communities meeting room account
· A small installed plug-in prior to first time use

User Conduct

You represent, warrant and agree that no materials of any kind posted, transmitted, or shared by you on or through the Service will violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party, including copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity or other personal or proprietary rights; or contain libelous, defamatory or otherwise unlawful material.

In addition, you agree not to use the Service or the Site to:

• Upload, post, transmit, share, store or otherwise make available any content that we deem to be harmful, threatening, unlawful, defamatory, infringing, abusive, inflammatory, harassing, vulgar, obscene, fraudulent, invasive of privacy or publicity rights, hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable;
• Upload, post, transmit, share, store or otherwise make publicly available on the Site any private information of any third party, including, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, Social Security numbers and credit card numbers;
• Upload, post, transmit, share or otherwise make available any material that contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment;
• Intimidate or harass another;
• Upload, post, transmit, share, store or otherwise make available content that would constitute, encourage or provide instructions for a criminal offense, violate the rights of any party, or that would otherwise create liability or violate any local, state, national or international law;

Third Party Websites and Content

The Site contains (or you may be sent through the Site or the Service) links to other web sites ("Third Party Sites") as well as articles, photographs, text, graphics, pictures, information, and other content or items belonging to or originating from third parties. Such Third Party Sites and Third Party Applications, Software or Content are not investigated, monitored or checked for accuracy, appropriateness, or completeness by us, and we are not responsible for any Third Party Sites accessed through the Site or any Third Party Applications, Software or Content posted on, available through or installed from the Site, including the content, accuracy, offensiveness, opinions, reliability, privacy practices or other policies of or contained in the Third Party Sites or the Third Party Applications, Software or Content. Inclusion of, linking to or permitting the use or installation of any Third Party Site or any Third Party Applications, Software or Content does not imply approval or endorsement thereof by us.

Disclaimers

The State Library is not responsible for any technical malfunction or other problems of any network or service, computer systems, servers or providers, computer or equipment, software, failure of email on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Site or combination thereof, including injury or damage to User's or to any other person's computer, or other hardware or software, related to or resulting from using or downloading materials in connection with the Web and/or in connection with the Service.