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Using Computers at the Elmhurst Public Library

How Do I Log On?
Session Limits
Reserving Computers
General Information
Safety/Security
Printing
Music
How Long Can I Use the Computers?
Using Your Laptop
Software
A Note on Filtering

The Elmhurst Public Library has 70 computers available to the public as well as internet plug-ins and a wireless network throughout the building.  To use the library’s computers you must have ONE of the following:

— an Elmhurst Public Library card   -OR-

— a library card from another public library which has been registered to check out items at EPL

   -OR-

––an EPL Guest computer use card available at the Checkout Desk

HOW DO I LOG ON?

1. Enter your Library Card Number & PIN/Password. Click [OK].

What is a PIN? A PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a self-created password that can have numbers and/or letters in it. Be sure to create a PIN that you will remember.

2. After you log on, you will be required to accept the Library Internet Use Agreement.Read the policy and click [Accept] in order to use the computer.

Photo of Log-in Screen

SESSION LIMITS

Elmhurst Public Library cardholders may use the computers for up to eight hours a day in two-hour sessions on the second floor and 60-minute sessions in the Kids’ Library. Guests have up to three hours a day in 60-minute sessions on the second floor and 30-minute sessions in the Kids’ Library. You must log on again after each session ends.

  1. After logging on, a “Personal Session Timer” window appears (see below). Click [Minimize] to move it to the taskbar.
    - A countdown clock displays “Time Remaining.”
    - An “Inactivity” warning displays if a computer is idle for too long.
    - A “Timeout” warning displays before a session will end.
    - A “Library Is Closing” warning displays before the library closes.

    SAM Image

  2. Click [Lock Computer] to temporarily lock your session (e.g. pick up a print job).
    Note: Your session time will still count down.
  3. Always click [End Session] when finished using the computer to prevent other people from using your account.

RESERVING COMPUTERS

EPL cardholders can reserve computers. Ask a Staff Member for more information.

GENERAL INFORMATION

We will not extend computer time.

SAFETY/SECURITY

Never select [Remember me] or any other username/password saving function.

Do not leave your computer unattended. Either log off or “lock” your computer. Always end your sessions when you leave.

Save to the hard drive at your own risk. The hard drive is erased when the computer is shut down. You must bring your own flash drive.

Items saved to the hard drive may be accessed by subsequent computer users. Please delete any files that you add to the hard drive.

Patrons working on sensitive material may ask a library staff member to restart their computer when they are done working.

PRINTING

You use your library card account to pre-pay for computer printouts. You can add money to your account at machines located on the first floor and second floor or at the Checkout Desk.

10¢ for black & white
50¢ for color

Except in the case of printer malfunction, we do not refund money. Check your total number of pages before you hit [print now]. You will not be refunded for blank sheets that you print.

How do I print?
Choose File-Print from the menu bar. The standard Windows dialog box will appear. Select the printer you would like to use. Both black & white and color printers are available. Choose the number of copies you would like to print. Click [OK].

The SAM “Printer Management” window will appear. You can either Print the document [Print Now] or Cancel the print job [Don’t Print] at this time.

-SAM always allows you to review charges prior to printing.
-Please check the number of pages, price per page and total charge.

Click [Print Now]. SAM will print your document, and it will deduct the amount from your library card account.

Our printers only accommodate 8 ½ x 11 paper.

Special paper, labels or envelopes cannot be used in library printers or copiers.

MUSIC

We do not recommend purchasing/downloading music through sources like iTunes on the public computers. We are not responsible for any issues or losses you might experience.

HOW LONG CAN I USE THE COMPUTERS?

Elmhurst Public Library cardholders may use the computers for up to eight hours a day in two-hour sessions on the second floor and 60-minute sessions in the Kids’ Library. Guests have up to three hours a day in 60-minute sessions on the second floor and 30-minute sessions in the Kids’ Library. You must log on again after each session ends.

USING YOUR LAPTOP

Plug-in: Elmhurst Public Library is 802.3 compatible running an Internet Protocol (IP) based network. You can find plug-in locations in tables, in carrels and near lounge chairs throughout the library.

  • You will need: a laptop computer, Network Interface Card (NIC) with an RJ45 Connector and a Category 5e Ethernet cable.
  • Set your computer’s operating system (Windows, Macintosh, Linux, etc…) to use the following convention: IP to use DHCP.
  • For Windows laptops, under TCP/IP Properties click [obtain IP address automatically].

Wireless: Elmhurst Public Library is 802.11a and 802.11b compatible.

  • You will need: a laptop computer with a wireless Network Interface Card (NIC) configured to use the library’s Internet connection.
  • Set the wireless software using the following configuration:
    –Mode: Infrastructure
    –SSID: ElmLib (This is case sensitive)
    –WEP: disabled
    –IP or network settings: DHCP enabled or obtain IP address automatically.
  • Read and accept the User Agreement.

Printing: You cannot print to an Elmhurst Public Library printer from a laptop.

Security: WiFi (wireless access) poses the same risks to your personal information as other Internet connections.

NOTE: While library staff will try to help when you need technical support, they are not responsible for your equipment. Please refer to the owner’s manual for your equipment.

SOFTWARE:

Catalog Computers: Search the catalog from any computer in the building. Special catalog-only stations are located throughout both floors of the library.

All Computers (Except catalog):
All have the following default software. See lists below for additional specialty software.

  • Internet Explorer
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • DVD & Music Player
  • CD Burning Software
  • Corel PhotoImpact X3
  • Microsoft Office 2007
    -Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, PowerPoint, Movie Maker 2

1st Floor
Kids’ Library North (First-come, first-served-no reservation)

  • Educational Games for young kids

Kids’ Library South (May be reserved with an EPL card)

  • Educational Games for older kids.



2nd Floor
Info Commons & Teen Area (May be reserved with an EPL card)

  • Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing

Accessibilty Computers

  • Open Book
  • Zoom Text
  • Dragon Naturally Speaking
  • JAWS Professional

Assistive Technology Room (May be reserved with an EPL card)

  • Powered adjustable-height workstation
  • Dragon Naturally Speaking
  • Magic Touch screen enlarger
  • Microphone
  • Boardmaker
  • JAWS Professional
  • Scanner
  • Zoom Text
  • Write Outloud
  • Kurzweil 3000

Creative (Art) computers (May be reserved with an EPL card)

  • Adobe Creative Suite 5 Master Collection
    -Acrobat Pro, After Effects Pro, Contribute, Dreamweaver, Encore, Fireworks, Flash, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth
  • HP Scanner (Picture/Negatives/Slides Scanning)
  • OmniPage v16 (Text/OCR Scanning)
  • FTP Acess
  • DVD Burner

A NOTE ON FILTERING:

In compliance with the federally mandated provisions of the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Elmhurst Public Library filters all Internet access. Computers on the first floor in the Kids’ Library are filtered for more categories of information than on the second floor.

In accordance with the Supreme Court ruling on this legislation, anyone over the age of 17, with a valid photo ID, who needs to view a site for research purposes should ask a librarian at the second floor Information Desk to change the filtering status.

Chat, Instant Messaging, and social networking sites are not available for minors ages 0–13-years-old on library computers.

For full details, see the Library's Filtering Policy.

ASK A STAFF MEMBER IF YOU NEED HELP OR HAVE QUESTIONS!