Adult Computer Lab

The Longmont Public Library Adult Computer Lab provides free and open access to the Internet, as well as software for your daily needs, including Microsoft Word, Publisher, Excel, and others.

Review the Internet and Computer Use Policy (Adobe .pdf file, 86kb) for guidelines in this lab, and for other computers in the library.

Hours of Availability

Fall/Winter Hours (from Labor Day to Memorial Day):

Monday -Thursday 10 to 9
Friday - Saturday 9 to 5
Sunday 1 to 5

Summer Hours (from Memorial Day to Labor Day):

Monday -Thursday 9 to 9
Friday - Saturday 9 to 5
Closed Sunday

To make an appointment for a computer, please call: 303/651-8769.

Who can use the Adult Computer Lab?

This lab is for patrons who are age 18 or older. Patrons under age 18 may be in the lab only when accompanied by a parent or guardian and may not access the computers in this area. Patrons may be asked for picture identification to verify age.

Allowed Activities

Informational research on the Internet and general web browsing.
Word processing, spreadsheets, slideshow presentations and document publishing.
Web-based e-mail, chat room usage, social networking and online games.
Viewing of DVDs and listening to CDs. Software is available for burning of CD-R’s. Patrons are expected to comply with applicable copyright laws and licensing agreements.
Printing – A black and white printer is available for public use. The cost to print is 10 cents per page. Payments are made at the Adult Computer Lab Desk and must be paid with cash or personal check. Please note that patrons are responsible for all pages printed. Color printing is currently not available.
Downloading to floppy disk, CD-R, and removable USB drives are permitted. Formatted floppy disks are available for sale at the Adult Computer Lab Desk for $1.00 each.
The primary purpose of computers throughout the library is for information and research. Internet filtering software is used throughout the library, including the computer lab. It is contrary to library rules to access materials that are obscene, pornographic, or otherwise sexually explicit.
Please note that the Longmont Public Library does not currently provide FAX or scanning services.

Time Limits

Internet usage is limited to a total of one hour per day.
There are eight lab stations that may be used for up to one hour. There are eight other stations that may only be used for 30 minutes.
A patron using an Express (30 minute) lab station must wait at least 2 hours before returning to use another Express station.
A word processing-specific computer is available and time on that station is limited to two hours per day. However, if the one hour limit of Internet time is also used, word processing will be limited to only one hour.

Reservations

Reservations are strongly encouraged due to the high level of demand of lab computers.
Reservations for the one-hour lab stations may be made up to seven days in advance in person or by phone at (303) 651-8769.These reservations always start on the hour – for example, a reservation could be made for 1:00pm but not for 1:30pm.
Whenever possible, please call at least 3 working hours in advance to cancel reservations.
Reservations will be held for 10 minutes after the scheduled appointment time. After that point, the computers are released for use by other patrons.
Sessions on the one-hour computer stations end on the hour, regardless of whether or not the patron has had a full hour’s worth of time. For example, if a patron begins at 1:15pm or 1:30pm, the session still ends at 2:00pm.
The express (30 minute) lab stations are assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis and may not be reserved.

Available Computers

16 Pentium IV computers with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox for Internet browsing and the Office 2003 and Open Office suites for word processing and other document or publishing work. A single additional computer is available with all the same software, except for Internet access and browsers.
A black-and-white networked laser printer is available for all computers. Color printing and double-sided printing are currently not available.

Assistance and Training

Lab monitors will provide informal assistance (typically between 5 to 10 minutes) to individuals unfamiliar with the Internet, word-processing and e-mail. However, patrons should remember that the lab monitors may need to assist other patrons as well, thus limiting available time. Also, lab monitors may not be able to assist with all questions.
The library does not provide classes or training on computer usage. However, the library will serve as an outlet for information about classes or training offered in the community and library staff will refer individuals to those opportunities.

Important Notes

The library staff would like to remind patrons that the computers in this area are visible to other patrons of all ages and diverse viewpoints. Also, the purpose of computers throughout the library is primarily for information and research. With these two considerations in mind, patrons are expected to use good judgment concerning their activities and what is displayed on the screen. The intent is to allow as much access to information as possible, while respecting the right of everyone to enjoy his or her visit to the library. Particularly problematic situations can result in a patron being asked to leave the computer lab; extreme cases can result in eviction from the library.
The Longmont Public Library also makes no warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, for the computer services it is providing. The library assumes no responsibility and no liability for any loss or damage incurred by anyone using the library’s computing resources. This includes loss or harm incurred by a patron from giving out personal information over the Internet, failing to log out of personal accounts or leaving unclaimed printouts or media devices in the lab. The library does not guarantee the accuracy, quality or content of information obtained through the Internet accessed through the library’s computer system. The library does not save, collect or distribute any personal information on the computer lab machines.

last edited: 06/10/09