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 reservation 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.
A valid and current Longmont Library Card is needed to access Computer Lab stations.

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 CDs and DVDs. Patrons are expected to comply with applicable copyright laws and licensing agreements.
Printing – One black and white printer and one color printer are available for public use. The cost to print is $0.10 per page for black-and-white and $0.25 per page for color. Payments are made at the Self-Service Print Release Station and must be paid with cash. Please note that patrons are responsible for all pages printed. Two-sided 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. USB flash drives (2GB) are also available for $5.00 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. Violating these rules can result in loss of Library privileges.
Two scanners are available for use in the Adult Computer Lab as well. One scanner is attached to the Word Processor Station (#17). The other can be "checked out" at the Computer Lab Desk with a photo ID and used at any Adult Computer Lab PC.
Please note that the Longmont Public Library does not currently provide FAX services.

Time Limits

Internet usage is limited to a total of two hours per day.
There are eight lab stations (#1 - 8) that may be used for one hour sessions. There are eight other stations (#9 - 16) that may only be used for 30 minute sessions.
If there are no reservations for a computer following a user's session, the system will automatically offer to extend the session length by 15 minutes. The system will continue offering extensions until a two hour limit is reached or until a reservation exists for that computer.
A word processing-specific computer (#17) is available and sessions begin at two hours. Time on the Word Processor Station does not count against the two hour daily usage limit. Fifteen minute extensions occur on this computer as normal.

Reservations

Advance reservations are encouraged due to the high level of demand of lab computers.
Reservations for the one-hour lab stations may be made up to seven (7) days in advance either in person with a staff member or from the Self Service Reservation Station or by phone at (303) 651-8769.
Advance reservations are usually set at the 15 minute marks on the hour (for example, 1:00pm, 1:15pm, 1:30pm, or 1:45pm).
Reservations will be held for 10 minutes after the scheduled appointment time. After that point, the computers are automatically released for use by other patrons.
Reservations are not required to use the Adult Computer Lab. Patrons and visitors may simply walk in a sign into an open, unreserved station if desired.

Available Computers

16 Dell computers with Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox (and other browsers) for Internet browsing and the Office 2010 (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher) 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 (the Word Processor station).
A black-and-white laser printer and a color laser printer are available for all computers. 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.
Lab monitors can assist patrons in using lab computers, accessing the Library wireless network, and accessing Library resources using personal devices. However, lab monitors are not permitted to answer troubleshooting or repair questions about personal electronic devices. For such needs, please see a technical professional.
The Library does not currently 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: 02/08/13