Library Computer FAQs

1) How many computers are available for student use?
2) Why can’t I use one of the research computers for word processing if all the word processing computers are being used?
3) Is wireless access available in the Library?
4) How often are documents deleted from the Library computers? Is it okay to save my work on these computers?
5) Can I print in the Library? Is there a fee?
6) Is there a scanner available for public use?
7) When I try and print a PDF document, I only get blank pages. How can I fix this?
8) How do I print multiple Power Point slides on one page?


1) How many computers are available for student use?
First floor:
- 13 computers available for word processing & research
- 4 computers available for research only
- 1 computer available for printing only
- 2 computers available for users requiring assistive technology
Second floor:
- 4 computers available for word processing & research
Third floor:
-1 computer available for searching the Library catalog

2) Why can’t I use one of the research computers for word processing if all the word processing computers are being used?

It is important to reserve some computers for research, because if a student comes to the Library to do research and all the computers are being used for word processing, the student is unable to complete his/her research. While word processing computers are made available as a courtesy to our students, the Library is not a computer lab and our primary purpose is to facilitate research.

It should be noted that the Library previously offered 6 word processing computers and 8 research computers. Due to the demand for word processing computers, we switched 4 of our research computers to word processing computers as well as added additional word processing computers.

3) Is wireless access available in the Library?

Yes, wireless access is available in most areas of the Library. At this time, the circulating Library laptops are the only computers with wireless access to the Library printers. Students using personal laptops should plan to save their work to a flash drive or email it to themselves and then print from one of the Library computers.

4) How often are documents deleted from the Library computers? Is it okay to save my work on these computers?

In an effort to ensure that each computer is consistently operable and available, its original configuration is restored each time it is restarted. This means that any programs you download or files you save are deleted each time the computer is restarted. The one exception is the My Documents folder. The contents of this folder are exempt from deletion at each restart. However, please do not depend on your documents remaining in this folder indefinitely, as it is emptied on a regular basis--usually at least once a week. It is highly recommended you save all work to a flash drive, CD or floppy disk and/or email it to yourself. Be sure to save often so you don’t lose your work in the event the computer freezes and has to be restarted.

5) Can I print in the Library? Is there a fee?

Yes, you may print from any student computer in the Library.

All print jobs are routed through GoPrint, our Print Management system, which means when you send something to the printer, you must go to the GoPrint station to release your print job. There is a sign next to the main Library printer that explains how to use the GoPrint station to release your print job.

The Library decided to implement GoPrint in an effort to reduce the amount of wasted paper. Previously, if one student printed a large PDF document that slowed down the printer, other students would often keep printing multiple copies of their documents because they did not understand why their jobs were not printing. This in turn slowed the printer down even more. Now that we have GoPrint in place, students can decide which print jobs to delete and which jobs to release.

At this time, the Library does not charge for printing.

6) Is there a scanner available for public use?

No. While the Library does make a scanner available to students requiring assistive technology, this scanner is not available for general use. However, the IT lab has several scanners for your use.

7) When I try and print a PDF document, I only get blank pages. How can I fix this?

This can occur when you use the File > Print command (see Figure 1) to print a PDF document from within a browser window. To solve the problem, click on the Adobe Print icon (see Figure 2) to print your document.

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

                               

8) How do I print multiple Power Point slides on one page?

From the toolbar at the top of the page, select File > Print. If you don’t see a toolbar, hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the P key to view the Print dialog box. For the Print what: option, select Handouts. Next, select the number of Slides per page you want to print. Click the OK button to start printing.