Urbandale Public Library

Computers

Computer Classes
Computer Policy
Direct Plug-In/Wireless Internet Access Rules and Procedures
Public Access Analog Phone Lines Policy

The Urbandale Public Library has 39 PCs available for public use. Each computer has the following:

Software

Internet access using the Internet Explorer web browser
Microsoft Office 2003 including Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Front Page, Office Project, Picture Manager, Publisher and Visio.

Hardware

All of the computers have floppy drives, CD writeable drives and USB ports for flash drives (jump drives or thumb drives).

One scanner is available for public use.

A black and white laser printer and a color laser printer are available for the public to print documents from the computers. Fees include $.50 per page for color copies and $.10 per page for black and white copies.

Storage devices

Users are not allowed to save to the hard drives on the library computers. All of the computers have floppy drives, CD writeable drives and USB ports for flash drives (jump drives or thumb drives).

The following are available for purchase from the Reference Desk or users may bring their own:

3.5” floppy disks $1.00 each
CD-RW $3.00 each

What is required to use a computer

An Urbandale or Johnston Library card is required for residents of the state of Iowa to use the computers. Those who are not residents of the state of Iowa can present a driver’s license from another state or country and will be logged on to a computer as a guest.

Reserving a computer

The computer with the scanner is the only computer which is reserved in the library. The other computers are available on a first come first served basis.

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Computer Classes

The following one hour classes are offered twice each year at the Urbandale Public Library. These classes are taught by the library staff, are offered free of charge and are taught in the library’s computer classroom. There is a maximum of seven students per class unless two people agree to share a computer in advance. Advanced registration at the reference desk is required. Registrants are encouraged to bring questions.

Introduction to the Computer
This class is for the beginner. The inside of the computer is explored. Participants play games at the computer to become familiar with using the mouse. Prior computer experience is not required.

Introduction to the Internet
Registrants are required to have prior computer experience and be comfortable using a mouse. Participants will become familiar with using the toolbar in Internet Explorer, visiting a web site, learning about search engines and will be introduced to some “favorite sites” of the reference department.

Introduction to E-mail
Registrants are required to have prior computer experience, be comfortable using a mouse and should be familiar with the Internet. Participants will need to have an e-mail account set up before attending the class and will learn how to send a message, reply to a message and other basic e-mail functions.

Introduction to Excel
Registrants are required to have prior computer experience and be comfortable using a mouse. Participants will explore the menu bar and the toolbar of Microsoft Excel. Participants will also format cells, create, print and save a spreadsheet.

Introduction to iBistro: The Urbandale Library Web Catalog
This class instructs participants on how to use the library’s catalog to search for materials available at the Urbandale Public Library. This class also demonstrates how to access a user account, place holds, renew materials, suggest materials and request an item on interlibrary loan. Mouse experience is extremely helpful but not required

Introduction to Word
Registrants are required to have prior computer experience and be comfortable using a mouse. Participants will explore the menu bar and the toolbar of Microsoft Word and will select text, use underlining, italics, bold and change fonts. The saving and printing of documents is also demonstrated.

Intermediate Word
Registrants are required to have prior computer experience and be comfortable using a mouse and a word processing program. Participants will cut and paste text, copy text, use the alignment buttons, use bullets, set margins and tabs.

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Direct Plug-In/Wireless Internet Access Rules and Procedures

The Urbandale Public Library offers wireless and plug-in connections to the library’s Internet service. Direct plug-in ports are available in designated areas. If you are bringing your own laptop and wish to use the Internet connection, you must have the following:

Wireless network interface card (802.11b or compatible)
Ability to configure laptop to use the library’s connection
Charged battery (electrical outlets may be available)
Audio users must bring headphones
Direct plug-in users must have a 5 ft. patch cable with RJ45 ends

Connection Rules:

Library staff members will not assist customers with their computer or their configuration. Library staff will not accept the liability of handling non-library equipment.

The library will not assume responsibility for any damage, theft, alterations, interference or loss of any kind to a user’s equipment, software, data files or other personal property brought into or used at the library’s facilities. All virus and security protection is the responsibility of the user.

The library cannot guarantee that this service will be available at any specific time or at any specific speed, nor can the library accept reservations for wireless access. Reservations will be accepted for study rooms and meeting rooms with direct plug-in access (see Study Room Policy and Meeting Room Policy).

The connection shall not be used for illegal or time consuming commercial purposes. Users are asked to limit their connection time to one hour while others are waiting.

Printers are not available through the wireless or direct plug-in access. Users who must print will need to save to storage media and use a public workstation.

All other applicable rules from the Computer Use Policy will apply.

Please click on the links below for the appropriate DHCP procedures to gain access to the Urbandale Public Library's wireless services. We are not currently providing support for the Windows Vista operating system.

Plug-in/Wireless Internet Access DHCP Procedure (Windows XP)
Plug-in/Wireless Internet Access DHCP Procedure (Windows 2000)

approved 3/31/2004

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Public Access Analog Phone Lines Policy

There are three analog phone lines in the adult reference area available for those who wish to bring their own laptop computer and dial out of the library. The phone lines are available in a reference carrel, study room A (two person) and study room D (six person).

Customers must have a laptop computer with a modem.
Customers must dial out to their own provider. The library’s network will not be accessible.
Customers must use a local or 800 number, long distance is not available.
Users must dial 9.

The reference carrel will be reserved for one hour time periods. This period may be extended as long as no one is waiting. Customers may reserve the carrel up to 30 days in advance and phone reservations are accepted.

The study rooms will be reserved as usual according to the Study Room Policy. Anyone not appearing within fifteen minutes of their scheduled time will forfeit their scheduled time period.

Approximately fifteen minutes prior to closing time a general announcement will be made that the library will be closing. The line will be disconnected promptly at closing time.

The library does not accept responsibility for damage to users’ storage media or computers or for the loss of any data, damage or liability which may occur from the use of the library’s telephone lines.

Where applicable, all other rules and regulations in the Urbandale Public Library Computer Use Policies will be applied.

Approved Urbandale Public Library Board of Trustees 5/29/2002

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