About the Library - Computer/Internet policy

*We are updating this page with new policies. If you have any questions about computer/internet use, visit or call the Reference desk*

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the public computers

1. How do I sign on to use a computer?

If there is an empty computer, take a seat and sign in at the computer. You will need a library card in order to log on. Simply enter your name and the number on the back of your card. top

2. I don't have a library card. Do I have to get one?

We strongly encourage you to get a card. If you live, work, or go to school in the Lauderdale or Colbert County area you may get a FREE library card at the circulation desk on the first floor. If you use the library frequently, but don't live, work or go to school here, you may get an "out of region" card at the cost of $10 per year. These cards allow you to have use of all the library's materials. top Local History/Genealogy: If you are temporarily visiting our area, the local history staff will have a limited number of "guest" cards. These cards will be limited to computer use only. To get one of these cards, you must go to the local history desk and present a photo I.D. (driver's license, passport, student ID, military ID, etc.). The staff will keep that ID and give you a temporary library card to use for the computers. When you finish using the computer, return the library card to the desk and your ID will be returned to you. Reference: If you are temporarily visiting our area, the reference staff will have a limited number of "guest" cards. These cards will be limited to computer use only. To get one of these cards, you must go to the reference desk and present a photo I.D. (driver's license, passport, student ID, military ID, etc.). The staff will keep that ID and give you a temporary library card to use for the computers. When you finish using the computer, return the library card to the desk and your ID will be returned to you.

3. How much time will I have to use a computer?

Local History/Genealogy: In the Local History Area, each computer session will last for TWO HOURS. These sessions are automatically timed by the Cybraryn software. THE COMPUTER WILL LOG YOU OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOUR SESSION HAS ENDED. You will receive a warning on the computer screen before your session will end. If there is any work you wish to k eep, you need to SAVE it to a disk at this point. Also note that there is a clock running in the upper right hand corner that will tell you how much time is left in your session. top Reference: In the Reference Area, each computer session will last for ONE HOUR. These sessions are automatically timed by the Cybraryn software. THE COMPUTER WILL LOG YOU OFF AUTOMATICALLY WHEN YOUR SESSION HAS ENDED. You will receive a warning before your session will end. If there is any work you wish to keep, you need to SAVE it to a disk on the A Drive... Also note that there is a clock running in the upper right hand corner that will tell you how much time is left in your session.

4. May I get back on the computer after it logs me out? § What if all the computers are being used?

Local History/Genealogy: As long as other patrons are not waiting, you may have unlimited sessions on the computer; HOWEVER, there will be a TEN (10) MINUTE waiting period between sessions. The system will NOT allow a patron to sign back on until the TEN minute wait is over. top Reference: As long as other patrons are not waiting, you may have unlimited sessions on the computer; HOWEVER, there will be a THIRTY (30) MINUTE waiting period between sessions. The system will NOT allow a patron to sign back on until the thirty minute wait is over. top § There will be a waiting list that you sign up for on one of the computers. Since we did not want to keep our computers down any longer than necessary, for now, if all computers are in use, you need to sign up at the Reference Desk for the next available computer. This will be a first come-first served list.

5. How do I access the Internet (word processing, games…)?

Once you log on, simply double-click on the icon for the Internet (games, etc). This will take you to a second menu where you may select the specific program you want to use.

6. I clicked on the wrong icon? What do I do now?

At the bottom of the screen, there is a HOME button. Click on this and it will take you back to the main menu. The back arrow will take you to your previous screen.

7. May I save information?

You may save information to a disk using the A Drive. (Disks are available at the reference desk for $1.00. The staff has a limited number of disks available for quick saves that you do not wish to take with you.) YOU MAY NOT SAVE TO THE DESKTOP OR HARD DRIVE. Any information you wish to keep MUST BE SAVED. Once you close a program or log out of your session, there is NO WAY to retrieve your work if you have not saved it to a disk. If you wish to attach something to an email, you must first save it to a disk. When you are warned that your session is about to end, SAVE IMMEDIATELY.

8. May I print?

Yes. Black & white print outs are 20¢ per page. Go to File, Click on Print. Cybraryn will tell you how many pages you are printing and how much it will cost. If you wish to print, click "Yes". If not, click "No". You may print multiple copies or highlight sections to print. Once you have clicked "Yes", you need to go to the Reference Desk. Copies will not be printed until you ask the staff to do so. They will verify the number of copies you are printing. Payment is expected when you pick up your printouts. Unless you have saved the information to a disk, DO NOT CLOSE OUT the screen you are printing until you are certain the print out is the way you want it to be. If you close out a screen, you will not be able to retrieve it - you will have to enter the information again.

9. I need to leave my computer for a few minutes but I'm not finished using it? Am I going to "lose" my computer?

If you have to leave your computer for a short time, you may click on PAUSE. This will "lock" your computer by bringing up a screen to cover the work you are doing. The screen will look similar to the original sign in screen. When you return, you will need to enter your library card number again. Then the computer will return you to the screen you were on when you left. YOUR SESSION TIME WILL CONTINUE TO RUN WHILE THE COMPUTER IS PAUSED; in other words, if you are gone from your computer for five minutes, five minutes will have been deducted from your session time.

10. I'm finished with my computer, but I haven't used my full hour. Do I need to "log out"?

Yes. If you do not log out, someone could sit at the computer and use it under your name. Staying logged on may also mean that even if you leave and come back in thirty minutes to sign on again, the computer will not let you do so, because it will count the thirty minute waiting period from the time your one hour session was ended by the computer rather than from when you actually left.

11. Do the same rules apply as in the past regarding chat rooms, restricted web sites, juvenile access to computers, etc.?

YES. When you log on to a computer, the library's policies will show on the screen. In order to access the computer's programs, you will have to agree to these policies. Although patrons use the library computers for a variety of activities, the primary reason for providing the computers in the library is in order for patrons to do research. Federal law requires that all public libraries filter computers to prevent access to certain types of sites. If you find that our filter is blocking what you consider to be a "legitimate" site, please let the staff know. We will NOT be able to grant immediate access to the site, but we can take the information and determine if the site should be "unblocked." IF the decision is made to allow access to the site, doing so may take several days.