30-50
computers are available for public use at each of these Boise Public Library
locations:
The Library
provides the following computer access options:
-
Unfiltered Internet access
-
Filtered Internet access
-
No Internet access
-
Computers in the children's areas offer filtered
Internet access, and are reserved for use by anyone under 18 years of age.
Minors may also use the other computers. Parents determine the access level.
For more information, please see
Library Policy Manual 4.06a.
The Library
also offers Wireless Internet access at each location.
Computer use
policies are available in section 4 of the Boise Public Library Policy Manual on
the Library web page:
Public computers offer the following:
-
Internet Explorer
-
Windows Media Player
-
Microsoft Office 2007:
-
Word
-
Excel
-
Access
-
Publisher
-
PowerPoint
Computers in the Youth Services sections also offer:
-
No one else will be able to view your Internet
destinations after you end your library computer session.
-
Files saved to the computer’s hard-drive are erased
when you log out of your computer session.
-
The system keeps track of session times in order to
provide fair access to library computers, and monitors printing in order to
charge for it.
-
The system does not keep track of work you’ve done
on the computer or Internet sites you’ve visited.
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Do You Need a
Library Card?
Library Card
-
Boise Residents are eligible for a
Boise library card.
Boise card holders and other Lynx! Consortium members can use their cards to log
on to Boise Public Library computers. Lynx Consortium members are: Ada County,
Boise, Caldwell, Eagle,
Garden City, Hailey, Meridian, Mountain Home, Nampa, and Twin Falls.
-
Members can use a Boise Library computer for up to 60
minutes per session, with a daily maximum of 120 minutes.
Internet Only Library Card
Guest Pass
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-
You may skip the sign-up process and go directly to
a free computer, if one is available. If computers are full, or reserved,
you will need to sign up at a sign-up station.
-
Computers in the children's areas offer filtered
Internet access only, and are reserved for use by visitors under 18 years of
age.
To sign up for a
computer:
-
Scan your library card and enter your
PIN at the
computer sign-up station. The sign-up display will show your place in line.
-
When a computer becomes available, the sign-up
display will show you which computer is being held for you.
-
Log-on to your
assigned PC before the 8-minute log-on period ends.
-
Locate your computer by its number, as follows:
Main Library
Library! at
Collister
-
A01-08: Front windows
-
B01-04: Near children’s area
-
C01-08: Near children’s area
-
D01-D04: By Holds shelves
-
E01-E0: By copier machine
Library! at
Hillcrest
-
A01-A04: Front entrance
-
B01-B14: Internet cafe
-
C01-C04: Young Adult corner
-
D01-D04: Children’s area (big desk)
-
Y01-Y04: Children’s area (little tables)
Library! at Cole
and Ustick
-
A01-A08: By the front window
-
B01-B08: Next to the AV material
-
C01-C12: By the Reference desk in teen area
-
D01-D08: Near the Storytime area
-
E01-E04: Behind the reference desk
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How to Log On to a Computer
Enter your Library Card Number or Guest Pass Number,
and PIN and click [Enter].
-
The default Library
card PIN is the last 4 digits of your phone number.
-
Guest Passes come
with a designated PIN.
-
The first time you
use a computer, you will need to enter your PIN a second time.
Read the library’s
computer-use policies if you’re not
familiar with them. To use the computer, you will need to click [Accept].
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-
Once you
log-in, a Personal
Session Manager appears.
-
Time Remaining
shows the amount of time left in your session.
-
An
Inactivity Warning
displays when your PC is idle.
-
Timeout Warnings
display as the end of your session nears.
-
The
Library is Closing
Warnings display before the library closes. Library PCs shut down 5
minutes before closing time.
-
Click [Minimize] to move the
Personal Session
Manager to the bottom of the screen.
-
Click [End Session] when finished using the
computer.
-
If you must leave your computer, you can lock it —
just click [Lock PC] on your
Personal Session
Manager. Your session time will continue to count down.
-
To unlock the computer, re-enter your library card
or visitor number and click [Unlock Work Station].
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Saving Data or Files
- Users may save their data to Universal Serial Bus (USB) compatible
devices like flash or thumb drives. It is also possible to temporarily save
your documents to the desktop. Documents will be deleted when you log out
of your session. CD-ROM and flopping disk drives are
not
available.
- Need Some Memory? Proceeds from sales of flash drives go to the
Friends of the Boise Public Library to benefit the Library($8 each 1GB
capacity as of 9/21/2011.)
-
Prints cost 10˘ per page.
-
Add cash to your printing account at the library’s
Account Payment Machines (APMs.)
-
At your computer, click [Print] as you normally
would. You may need to select [File]; [Print Preview] to see how your print
will look. If the document has its own print button, you will want to use it
so that it will print correctly.
-
When the standard Windows dialogue box opens,
select the number of copies you would like to print and click [OK].
-
The
Print Manager
will appear, showing your account balance, the number of pages, and
your total charge. Choose [Print Now!] When you click [Print Now!] the
total will be deducted from your pre-paid account value.
-
If you are using a Library card, you may leave any
left over money on your print account, or get a refund at an APM. Visitor
accounts and credit will expire at the end of the day, so guests should
collect money left over on their account.
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Boise Public Library provides wireless
Internet access for use with personal laptop PCs.
-
Laptops need to have built-in WiFi or 802.11 b/g
capabilities or an installed wireless adaptor card.
-
A limited number of electrical outlets are
available.
-
Access to the wireless network is on a first-come
first-served basis. During high-use periods, access may be slow or
unavailable.
-
Only web browser traffic using http (port 80) and
https (port 443) is available from the wireless network.
-
No logins or passwords are required.
What else do I need to know?
-
Security – Public wireless networks are not secure.
Users are responsible for safeguarding their laptops.
-
Printing – No printing is available from the
wireless network. Please use one of the public PCs to print.
-
Filtering—All wireless access in the library is
unfiltered.
-
Staff assistance – Staff cannot provide assistance
to users in configuring their equipment. Please contact your wireless
equipment manufacturer for setup details.
-
Wireless user must comply with the Library’s
Computer Use Policies and Regulations:
Getting Started:
-
Bring your laptop or PDA with an IEEE
802.11b-compliant wireless networking card to the library.
-
Select the library’s wireless network. The wireless
card should detect the signal immediately (some wireless card software may
require additional procedures and/or setting changes).
-
Open your Internet browser.
-
Start surfing. SSID/Network name -
Library
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Last Updated:
01/23/2012 R.J.
