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Internet Access
The Somerville Public Library is pleased to offer free Internet access
to the public. There are currently twenty one computers in the
Reference area that are connected to the Internet (twenty signup machines
with printing, and one 15 min. machine). Patrons may print to
a large shared printer that serves all the signup machines.
Please read the policy and procedures below for detailed information
about Internet use at the library.
Internet Access Rules and Procedures
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STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS for Pharos
internet sign-up system
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All Internet signup for the computers in the main reading
room of the Central Library requires a Minuteman Library
card and is done on a self-service basis at the sign-up
(queue) station next to the 20 internet machines. The initial
signup is for 1 hour, with the possiblity of extending time
or signing up again for a 2nd hour, for a maximum total use
of 2 hrs. per day.
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If a patron only wants to use only part of an hour (e.g. 15,
20, or 30 mins., etc.), the patron can sign off the computer
early and the balance of the hour will be saved for use later
in the day.
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Assigned or reserved computers are held only for 5 minutes.
After this the system automatically frees the computer for use
by others, and you will have to sign-up or reserve again at
the end of the queue of other users.
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You may sign up only for yourself, and must use your own library
card.
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Only one person at a time may use any single computer.
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Problems with the machines, the network, and the Internet are
often beyond the control of Library Staff. If you lose
a portion of your time slot due to any of these problems we
will try give you more time, but this may not always be possible.
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As noted above, you may sign up one day in advance for a reserved
computer.
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Printing is done to a printer shared by all internet terminals,
and must be pre-paid at the printer: 15 cents per page.
Pages not picked up by the time the library closes
will be discarded. You must pay for all of your
printouts.
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The 15 minute standup computer is an express computer designed
for short and quick use (e.g. a quick check of any recent e-mail
received, a quick map or directions, etc.) It is strictly
limited to 15 mins. and does not require a library card
or sign-in at the queue station. It is first-come/first-served,
and you wait in line if someone is using it or waiting for it.
Printing is done to its own printer, located beneath the computer,
and prints are payed for at the Reference Desk.
- Print procedure: At any of the 20 signed-up internet
computers, once you press "print" on your computer,
your print request will be followed by a blue screen on which
you need to type your name or initals as an ID to indentify your
print job at the print station computer. No other fields on the
blue screen need to be filled in (no pin number etc.). Then click
on the bar at the bottom of the screen that says "send to
print release station," and go over to the computer screen
to the right of the printer. Find your print job(s) on the screen
and see how much it (or each) costs. It is best to print one job
at a time if you have mulitiple prints. Put the money in the coin
box (if you do not have exact change, the coin box will give change,
and there is a dollar bill feeder. Do NOT use pennies (they jam
the machine), and print jobs cannot be more than $5.00. After
deposting the money, click on the print job to highlight and select
it. Then click on the print button on the screen. A second, confirmation
screen will follow. When the "OK" button turns from
grey to black, press OK to confirm your print order. The print
will then print at the printer, and the coin box will return any
change due to you. The cost of prints is $.15 per page.
- Because of the shared nature of the internet printer, you may
not use your own paper (e.g. for resumes, etc.) We prefer patrons
to use our printers with the normal library paper, but if you
really need to use your own paper to print resumes or other items
(non-internet), you may do so on one of the word processors that
are signed up through the Reference Desk. The cost of printing
will still be $.15 per page to cover our ink and maintenance costs.
Failure to comply with
this Internet Policy may result in the loss of your Internet privileges.
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