Computers

Is there Internet access at the library?
How do I sign up to use a computer?
Can I reserve a computer in advance?
Do you have wireless Internet?
Do I have to have a library card to use the computers at the library?
Does it cost anything to use the library computers?
For how long can I use a library computer?
I only need a computer for a few minutes – can I just walk in and use one or is there a long wait?
Are the library computers filtered?
Are there computers for children?
Besides the Internet, are there computers for word processing?
Do you have Excel? PowerPoint?
Can I print?

Is there Internet access at the library?

Yes. We have several computers that are connected to the Internet for patron use.

How do I sign up to use a computer?

If there’s an empty workstation, just sit down and type in your library card number and your PIN. You can use the library computers for up to three hours per day. There’s no charge for computer use; print outs cost 15¢ per page for black ink and 50¢ per page for color.

Can I reserve a computer in advance?

Our current system doesn’t allow for advance reserve. However, we do have two Internet Express computers that require no registration, so if all of the sit-down workstations are in use, you will probably be able to use an Express computer until another workstation is available.

Do you have wireless Internet?

Yes. The library has wireless Internet.

Do I have to have a library card to use the computers at the library?

No, a library card isn’t required in order to use the computers at the library. If you don’t have a library card, and you’re eligible, we recommend that you get one – not only are they free but you also gain access to many other services and data bases through your card. If you’re not eligible for a card, we can issue you a visitor pass, good for three hours.

Does it cost anything to use the library computers?

If you have a valid library card issued by a MHLS library, there’s no fee.  Print outs cost 15¢ per page.

For how long can I use a library computer?

Computers can be used for up to 3 hours per day in one hour increments. You can sign up for additional time if there’s no waiting list, but your total time cannot exceed three hours per day. The Express Internet stations are available for up to 15 minutes.

I only need a computer for a few minutes – can I just walk in and use one or is there a long wait?

We usually don’t have a long wait because additional time will not be granted if there are people waiting for computers. However, we do have two Internet Express computers which are available for up to 15 minutes that don’t require any sign up.

Are the library computers filtered?

No. The library’s computers are not filtered. There are no filters on the market that can effectively bar illegal speech while allowing legal and legitimate sites. When signing on to any of the library’s computers, you agree to abide by our Internet Policy. We want to trust that our patrons will use good judgment when at the library’s computers; however, in the rare instance in which we see that a person is accessing inappropriate material we will ask that person to shut it down and leave the building. We will then reboot the computer in order to scrub the Internet history so that no one else can accidentally access the objectionable sites. Anyone not abiding by the Internet Policy will be barred from using the computers and may also be barred from the library. If we see illegal activity, we will call the police immediately. Anyone breaking the law will be arrested.

Are there computers for children?

There are no computers for children.  We have found, and parents seem to agree, that while at the library most families are looking for a digital-free, hands-on experience.

Besides the Internet, are there computers for word processing?

Each patron computer at the library has internet access, word processing and several other programs.

Do you have Excel? PowerPoint?

Each patron computer, has Excel and PowerPoint or an open source version.

Can I print?

Printing is available from all the computers.  You’ll send the print job to the Reservation Station which will release the job after you put in your number and feed the coin machine. Prints cost 15¢ per page.