Public Computers & Technology

PUBLIC COMPUTERS – The Library provides 26 public computers with high speed access to the Internet, Microsoft Office, and our many electronic databases, including our periodical indexes and online catalog. Users are expected to adhere to our Internet Access Policy. Please note that the Library does not use filtering software on any of its public computers. Parents are expected to supervise their children’s Internet sessions.

SOFTWARE – Our computers currently run the Windows XP operating system, and have Microsoft Office 2003. Office includes word processing (Word), spreadsheet (Excel), database (Access), and business presentation applications (Publisher and PowerPoint). Our computers also have PhotoShop Elements 8.0 and Premiere Elements 8.0. For Internet access, we are currently using Internet Explorer 7.0.

RESERVING – All of our public computers are available on a first come, first served basis. They cannot be reserved in advance. You will need to log in using your library card number. In order to more fairly manage access to computers, all users are limited to 3 hours per day by PC Reservation software. (Click here for details). If you are a visitor to the area and do not have a library card, we can issue you a temporary guest number. We regret that we cannot book time slots in advance, or reserve specific computers for you. Three computers in the Reference Area are designated as “Express” workstations, which are limited to 15 minute sessions to provide quick turnover and better availability for short tasks.

SAVING – For saving documents, our computers accept standard 3.5 inch floppy diskettes, writeable CDs, or USB/flash drives. You can purchase floppy disks and CDs for $1.00, or USB/flash drives for $5.00, at the Reference or Youth Room Desk.

PRINTING – All of our computers are connected to high-speed laser printers. We ask a donation of ten cents per page, and we ask your help in saving paper and ink by only printing what you really need. There is one color printer in the Youth Room.

LISTENING – You are welcome to bring your own headphones or earbuds to use with our computers. You can also purchase earbuds or headphones at the Reference or Youth Room Desks. Earbuds cost $3.00 and headphones are $5.00.

WIRELESS – The library offers wireless access throughout the entire building. You need a wireless card in your laptop and the default TCP/IP setting should be: “obtain an IP address automatically”. To verify this setting, check your laptop’s “Network Connections”. Our wireless network is not currently set up to include the library’s network printers. You can, however, save a document to a floppy disk, CD, or USB drive, and then use the library’s computers to print. Alternatively, you can send a document to a webmain account if you have one, and print from that on our public computers. Like many free public hotspots, our wireless network is not secure and we recommend that you avoid using it for transactions where you might send private or financial information.

SCANNERS – The library does not have a scanner for public use.