Reserving and Using Library PCs: FAQ          |         Scanner          |        Fax

Do I need to have a reservation to use a PC?
There are usually enough PCs available so that reservations are not necessary. However, if all computers are in use, you can make a reservation at the PC Reservation Station at Cook Park or at the Reference Desk at Cook Park or Aspen.

Can I make a reservation from home?
Yes, you can use your own library card number to make a PC reservation up to 24 hours in advance online. If you do, bring with you the time of the reservation plus the computer number and reservation number that you are assigned.

Can I reserve a computer for my child?
If the child is under four years old, see a librarian. For children four and over a child’s card must be used.

Do I need to have a library card to use a library PC?
You can sign on to a computer using your library card number and your last name. If you forget to bring your card, ask a librarian to look up the number for you.

If your card is from another Illinois library, register it at the check-out desk so you can use your card number to sign on to a computer. One hour guest passes for occasional visitors from other areas are available at the Reference Desk.

How long can I use a computer?
Each library cardholder who logs in to one of our computers will have 3 hours of computer usage that day. This can be divided into any number of sessions, as long as the total time doesn't exceed 3 hours

Can I save my work on the computer?
No, you need to save your work on a flash drive or a floppy disc. You can borrow an external floppy disc drive from the Reference Desk or purchase a flash drive at the check-out desk for $7.

Are there age restrictions?
Computers in the adult area (the computer lab at Aspen) are for the use of patrons 18 and up. At Cook Park patrons 14 – 17 can use either the YA or adult computers. Computers in the children’s and young adult areas are restricted to those under 18.

What if I need to leave the computer for a time during my session?
On the menu in the lower right corner of the screen, choose the option Hide My Screen and add a password of your choice. The computer can’t be used until you return or your session expires.  Note: The session time will continue to count down while the screen is hidden.

Also, if a session is idle (but not hidden) for 10 minutes, an alert will appear asking if the terminal is still being used. If no reply is received, the session will end. Use the Hide My Screen option if you will not be actively using the computer for 10 minutes or longer.

Can I print?
Yes, you can print from a patron PC in the library, from your laptop using our wireless network, or even from home. See our remote printing service page for more information. You will send your print job to a Print Release station and then release it using your library card (if you have stored money on it) or cash. The cost is $.10 per page for black and white and $.25 per page for color.

How do I end the session so that the next user won’t have access to my work?
Go to the menu in the lower right corner of the screen and choose End Session. This will reboot the computer, removing all of your information and making the computer available for the next patron.

Cook Memorial Public Library District's PC Rules and Procedures

Scanner
There is a touch screen scanner located at the beginning of the second row of adult computers at our Cook Park Library. There is also one located in the computer lab at our Aspen Drive Library. You can use the scanners to convert documents and photos into PDF, Word or JPEG files, which you can scan to a USB drive, email, Google Docs, or printer. There is no charge for scanning. If you scan to the printer, the usual fee of $.10 per page for black and white and $.25 per page for color applies.

Fax
The public scanners at both our Cook Park and Aspen Drive locations now have outgoing faxing capabilities. Here’s the scoop:

Facts:

• Charge for faxing is $1.00 per page, to be paid in cash. You can include a cover page if you wish, but it will cost an additional $1.00.
• The coin box will take one and five dollar bills as well as coins.
• The fax machine can scan the front and back of a page in one sweep. Each side counts as a faxed page.
• It can scan up to 40 pages (or 20 front and back)
• It is not possible to receive faxes at the library.

How to:

• Start by touching “Scan to Fax” on the scanner’s screen.
• Place pages to be faxed in the feeder upside down, with the writing facing the wall.
• When entering a fax number, start with the area code. It is not necessary to dial “1”.

Please visit the Reference Desk at either library if you require assistance.