Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
Our most frequently asked questions relate to services the Computer
Center offers, which are explained on our main Computer Center Web pages.
We also get questions about services the Library is not able to supply
at the present, and these are addressed below. We appreciate your input
as we continue to develop our Computer Center.
Q. Why do we charge for printing?
A. Printing charges help defray the
cost of paper, toner and maintenance of our equipment. We consider printing
to be outside the realm of basic library services that are available
for free, although we do offer the first four sides of printed material
from the Internet and noncirculating Library materials at no charge.
We feel this is a fair way to guarantee access to information to all
of our patrons.
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Q. Can I hook my laptop to the...
...printer and print something?
A. No, we cannot allow the disassembling
of our computer system and insertion of a patron's equipment, which
takes service away from other patrons, puts our equipment and network
at risk, and raises liability concerns for us with respect to your equipment.
If you need to print something from your laptop, please copy it to a
floppy disk and it can be printed from one of the Library's computers.
Bring your own disk, purchase one from us for $2.00, or we can loan
you one for your work session.
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...to the network?
A. The Library’s network is not
for public use. We do offer a wireless system, which allows adult patrons
with their own laptops to access the Internet by checking out a wireless
card and using it in the Library. You may check out a wireless card
for up to two hours per day. You will need:
- Your library card
- Your laptop with a working CD drive and an empty type II PC card
slot
- A working understanding of your computer
- Windows 95, Win 98, ME, 2000, XP, MacOS 7.5 or later (USB
connection is available for new Macs without a PCMCIA card slot.)
- Your power supply or battery
- You may need the operating system installation disk,
especially if you have never had your laptop on a network before.
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To the phone?
A. No, we don't have extra phone lines
to connect your computer to the Internet and physically can't add additional
lines to our system. There is also the problem of administering an additional
service. Laptop users may plug their power supplies into our power outlets.
Local motels and campgrounds may have phone connections that can accommodate
laptops. Visitors should check there for a connection.
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Q. Can I plug in my camera
to your computer system to send pictures home?
A. The Computer Center allows any USB
thumb/flash/pen/etc., storage device or digital camera that will function
using existing hardware and software. No downloading or installing of
additional software will be permitted. Library patrons are expected
to handle, connect, operate and troubleshoot any approved hardware that
they choose to use. Click here to learn about the
Library's USB policies.
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Q. Why can't I get to the
CD drive and install a program, play a program or upload files?
A. We offer public computers for word
processing and Internet access. Allowing patrons to utilize CD programs
requires an installation and de-installation process, which creates
technical and security concerns for our network. We have one multimedia
computer station, and with advance notice our technicians can install
Library-owned CD programs here. The word processing and one-hour Internet
stations have CD-ROM (read only) accessibility, so you may upload documents,
pictures, etc. We do not currently offer CD burning/saving.
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Q. Can I stay on another
15 minutes on the Internet Express computer, if no one is in line?
A. We ask that you vacate the machine
for five minutes when your 15 minutes is up because someone may be waiting
nearby or just walking up. If there are no takers in that amount of
time, you may log in for another session. One hour per day is the maximum
use of the Library's Internet machines by any patron.
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Q. Can I just borrow
a floppy disk to download and read an attachment?
A. Yes, if we can have it back, but
if you bring your own disk you'd be able to keep the attachment. We
also sell disks for $2.00 each.
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Q. Do you have: Quickbooks,
Java text editors, Peachtree, other tax software, Photoshop, etc.?
A. At present we only offer word processing
software, Internet browsers, Adobe Acrobat, a resume builder, typing
tutorial and English-Spanish translator. We are not able to support
more complex software like Quickbooks and Photoshop. There are businesses
in Jackson where these programs are offered, and this information is
available at the Computer Center. Also, we are happy to take your Purchase
Suggestions and may be able to offer more software in the future.
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Q. Can I borrow your phone? Just for second?
A. No, the Computer Center phone is
extremely busy with patrons calling in to make appointments. We do have
a courtesy phone in the lobby that is available for brief calls.
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Q. Do you have a scanner?
A. We do not offer graphics scanning
or OCR services. We can assist you in locating these services in Jackson.
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Q. I want to print this
in color!
A. We only offer black and white printing.
We can assist you in locating color printing elsewhere in Jackson.
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Q. Do you have digital
cameras, digital projectors or laptops I can borrow?
A. Sorry, the Library doesn't lend
these items.
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