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Computer & Wireless Access

For the County Library's complete computer use policy, please see:

Acceptable Use Policy (PDF)
Internet Access Permission for Children (PDF) and Guidelines for Child Safety on the Internet (PDF)

Normativa de Uso Aceptable (PDF)
Los Privilegios de Acceso de Internet para Su Hijo (PDF) y Normas de seguridad infantil en Internet (PDF)

General Computer Access

Public computers and Internet access are available to customers in good standing (customers without excessive fines/ fees or overdue materials). To use a computer or access the wireless service, customers need a library card and PIN. If you do not have a PIN or have forgotten it, you can request a PIN online or call a County Library. Customers who are ineligible for a library card can request a card for computer use only. Computer time is limited to 2 hours per day. Printing is free up to the first 10 pages (per day); each additional page is 15¢.

Computers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Where reservations are available, a computer reservation can be made once per day by calling a County Library or on the library computer during your session. At this time, reservations cannot be made through our website. Reservations can be made for the same day or up to 3 days in advance. Reservations are automatically cancelled if you are more than ten minutes late logging on.

Wireless Access

The same Acceptable Use Policy for the Library's public computers apply to wireless access, except there is no time limit and filtering cannot be removed (see below). Customers are welcome to use available electrical outlets as long as no library equipment is unplugged and it does not create an unsafe condition.

Here's what you need to know to access County Library Wifi:

  • Provide your own wireless enabled laptop with Internet browser software.
  • Make sure your wirelss radio is turned on.
  • Use your Wireless Network Connection to connect to SSID (network name) = CountyLibraryWiFi.
  • Make sure that your laptop is assigned an IP address from the Access Point (release any old IP addresses if necessary).
  • Disable any proxy IP addresses (found in your browser connection settings)
  • Turn off your pop-up blocker, or allow pop-ups from plwireless.library.lacounty.gov. so the log-off window displays.
  • Open your Internet browser and enter your library card number and PIN.
  • Read/ accept the Library's Acceptable Use Policy.
  • Log off when you're done.

Library staff can confirm that the wireless network is functioning properly and give basic assistance. Staff cannot assist in setting up personal laptops for wireless access. Consult your computer's documentation for instructions

Children/ Teen Computer Access

Children under 18 can use the public computers but must have their parent or guardian's permission to access the Internet. Parents/ guardians must return a completed Internet Access Permission form, in person, to a County Library. On the form, parents/ guardians set the level of filtering for their child's Internet access.

Filtering

All public computers are filtered with "General Access" (filters visually explicit sexual images). Adult customers can request that their computer be unfiltered on a per-session basis. Computers in Children and Teen Areas of the library are filtered with "Children's Limited Access" (additionally filters offensive or objectionable material) and cannot be unfiltered.

Wireless access is filtered with "General Access," and cannot be unfiltered. Wireless access is filtered for minors according to parental permission.

Computer Programs & Classes

Programs available on public computers include:

  • Internet Explorer 7
  • Word 2007
  • Excel 2007
  • PowerPoint 2007
  • Adobe Reader 9

Public computers have USB ports for saving your work. USB devices that use an auto-run encryption/ password launcher do not work on the public computers. At this time, you cannot write to the CD-ROM drive. You can open a document using the CD-ROM drive, if it uses one of the programs listed above.

Many libraries offer computer classes, which you can find by searching the Event Calendar.