All of the branches of Lake Agassiz Regional Library and some of the LINK sites offer computers that anyone can use to access the internet. Please see our computer acceptable use policy for the guidelines you must agree to in order to use our computers.
Computer Information
LARL primarily uses Dell Optiplex computers, of which the oldest that are out for public use are 3 years old. We try to not use computers that are older than 5 years for public use. You may notice older computers being used for catalog and self check computes since those functions don’t need very many resources.
Available Software
We provide the following software on the public user computers. Not all the computers will always have all this software since it takes a while to update computers at 13 different branches.
InkScape – Open Source vector graphics editor. (Tutorials)
Itunes
DVD Viewing software.
7-Zip – Working with Zip, Rar and other compressed files.
Picasa 3 – Photo management software.
Real Alternative – Watching & Listening to real media files.
VLC player – Video Lan media player.
VIP Computers
In each branch we provide one computer with special software and a larger screen for those with visual imparments. Zoomtext is installed on those machines which is both a screen reader and a magnification program. If you have trouble reading text on the screen, and would like it read to you, or just enlarged, please ask staff about the VIP computers.
Flat Bed Scanners
We provide a flat bed scanner in each of our branch libraries that can be used to scan in photos and documents. There are instructions next to the scanner that will help you to get started. The scanners can handle up to a 8.5×11 sized paper.
Security and Privacy
The public computers are locked down to protect your security and privacy. They will not act the same as your home computer. You will not be able to install any software or change most settings, and any time the machine is restarted, all files that you have saved to the machine will be erased. You should always save to a flash disk, or send the files to your email account.
Every machine has a virus scanner installed and running that is updated once a week. Any flash drives or CD’s you use will automatically be scanned when you insert them.
Filtering
To comply with the federal Child Internet Protection Act we filter staff and public computers in the branches and LINK sites. Those that are 17 and older can request that their session be unfiltered.
Printing
Color and black & white printing is available at every LARL branch location and at some LINK sites. The cost for color printing is 50 cents and the cost for black & white printing is 10 cents.
FAQ
Q: Will I need to wait in line to use one of the computers?
A: You may need to wait in line as the public computers are quite popular. Demand for the public computers varies quite a bit depending on the time of day and which branch location you are visiting.
Other Questions
If you have questions that are not answered here, please fill out our feedback form and let us know what is missing.
Public Computers
Computers
Halstad LINK Site
All of the branches of Lake Agassiz Regional Library and some of the LINK sites offer computers that anyone can use to access the internet. Please see our computer acceptable use policy for the guidelines you must agree to in order to use our computers.
Computer Information
LARL primarily uses Dell Optiplex computers, of which the oldest that are out for public use are 3 years old. We try to not use computers that are older than 5 years for public use. You may notice older computers being used for catalog and self check computes since those functions don’t need very many resources.
Available Software
We provide the following software on the public user computers. Not all the computers will always have all this software since it takes a while to update computers at 13 different branches.
VIP Computers
In each branch we provide one computer with special software and a larger screen for those with visual imparments. Zoomtext is installed on those machines which is both a screen reader and a magnification program. If you have trouble reading text on the screen, and would like it read to you, or just enlarged, please ask staff about the VIP computers.
Flat Bed Scanners
We provide a flat bed scanner in each of our branch libraries that can be used to scan in photos and documents. There are instructions next to the scanner that will help you to get started. The scanners can handle up to a 8.5×11 sized paper.
Security and Privacy
The public computers are locked down to protect your security and privacy. They will not act the same as your home computer. You will not be able to install any software or change most settings, and any time the machine is restarted, all files that you have saved to the machine will be erased. You should always save to a flash disk, or send the files to your email account.
Every machine has a virus scanner installed and running that is updated once a week. Any flash drives or CD’s you use will automatically be scanned when you insert them.
Filtering
To comply with the federal Child Internet Protection Act we filter staff and public computers in the branches and LINK sites. Those that are 17 and older can request that their session be unfiltered.
Printing
Color and black & white printing is available at every LARL branch location and at some LINK sites. The cost for color printing is 50 cents and the cost for black & white printing is 10 cents.
FAQ
Q: Will I need to wait in line to use one of the computers?
A: You may need to wait in line as the public computers are quite popular. Demand for the public computers varies quite a bit depending on the time of day and which branch location you are visiting.
Other Questions
If you have questions that are not answered here, please fill out our feedback form and let us know what is missing.