Biblio-Tech Topics
by Barbara Kelly, Assistant Director

Welcome to Biblio-Tech Topics, a new regular column that will take a look at some aspect of technology and how it is used at the Appleton Public Library or how the Library is affected by it. It there are specific questions about library technology that you would like to see addressed here, please contact me and I’ll try to include them in my next column.

This issue, I’d like to start with a look at the different types of public access computers we have in the adult areas of the Appleton Public Library, and what services you can find on each type of machine. We know that it can sometimes be a little difficult to decide which computer to use for what around here. Staff at the Information, Reference or Children’s desks are always ready to help you choose the right computer and to help you use them. But here is a rundown on the basics:

Let’s say you want to find out if the library owns the book or video you are looking for and whether it is on the shelf. There are 17 “Library Research” computers located throughout the library, generally near the concrete pillars running East/West through the middle of the first and second floors. These computers have a “Home Page” with a green background screen. They can ONLY be used to search the library’s catalog or use one of the many databases that the library has created or provides access to. These include full text magazines, business directories, biographical and genealogical databases, an index to the Post Crescent, and more. There is no time limit for the use of these machines, and no library card is needed to use them.

If you need to do research on the Internet or use Microsoft Office software for a longer project, we have 13 computers available for those purposes. We call them “Research” computers, and they have blue signs and background screens. Ten of them are located in the computer lab on the second floor, and three others are just outside of the lab. They are available to library card holders in good standing for up to one hour at a time, with extensions in 15 minute increments if no one else is waiting. You can walk up to an unoccupied machine and login, or you can sign up for the next available workstation. They have all of the Microsoft Office Suite of software, full Internet access, and a number of other useful programs. They have CD-Rom drives and floppy disk drives. You may NOT use them to check email, play games or visit chat rooms.

What if you do want to check your email, visit a chat room or play a game? We have 8 computers on the second floor where you can do that. These “Email” stations have a yellow sign and background screen. They have all of the same software that the “Research” computers have. Most have a ½ hour per day limit, are available on a first come, first served basis, and require a library card in good standing to log in. Visitors to the area can get a temporary pass to use these computers. One special version of this type of computer is designated with a red background screen, and is set up to allow 10 minutes at a time, up to three times per day.

Of course, the use of any computer in the library with Internet access is always subject to the Library’s Internet Use Policy. You can find that on our website at http://www.apl.org/policies/ipolicy.html . Next time you’re in the Library, ask the staff at the reference desk to show you how to log in or sign up to use a computer. And check out our schedule of computer instruction classes on our website at http://www.apl.org/programs/internetclass.html.