Public Internet Computers

The library has Public Internet Computers in the Children’s and Adult Departments. There is no charge to use these computers. Users should be aware of and comply with the library’s Internet Access Policy.

The Public Internet Computers are available Monday - Thursday 10:00 am - 8:45 pm, Saturday 10:00 am - 4:45 pm, and Sunday 1:00 pm - 4:45 pm.

Logging in

Computer users can log in to any available Public Internet Computer by scanning their library card barcode or manually entering a library card number. Library staff can look up library card numbers with proper photo ID. A PIN is also required to log in. Library staff can reset PINs if necessary. Residents of Waterford and Lake Angelus can get a library card at the circulation desk.  Library cards from other TLN member libraries can be be used. Patrons are expected to use only their own library card number.

Guest passes

Non-Waterford residents who don’t have a library card from a TLN member library can be issued guest passes. Guest passes are issued to adults only and ID is required. Minors who are not eligible for library cards must be accompanied by their parent or guardian to whom a guest pass has been issued in order to use a workstation. Patrons are expected to use only their own guest pass.

Session length

The session length for the Public Internet Computers is 1 hour. Session is automatically extended unless someone is waiting. Ten minutes prior to the session's end time, a message will alert the user that the session is ending soon. Five minutes before the session ends, and as computer availability allows, the session is automatically extended for an additional hour. Session time is not automatically extended during the last hour that computers are available (7:45 pm - 8:45 pm M - Th and 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm Sa & Su). Librarians can extend time by request as computer availability allows.

Reservation Station

If all computers are in use, the reservation station can be used to reserve the next available computer. After reserving a computer, a receipt will be printed with the next available computer’s number and the time it will be available.

Reserving a computer 

Reservations can be made for future days and times. Users can do this remotely or from the Public Internet Computers. Librarians can also make reservations for you at the reference desks or over the phone. Call 248-618-7693 to reserve a computer in the Adult & Teen Services Department or 248-618-7692 to reserve a computer in the Children's Services Department.

Printing

Printing is available for computer users. 5 free printouts are allotted to computer users on a daily basis. After the daily allotment is used, printouts are $.25 each for color or black & white printouts. Patrons are asked to put money on their account at the circulation desk prior to sending their print jobs if the print jobs will exceed 5 pages. Two-sided printing is available, but printing is charged by the number of pages in the document, not by the quantity of paper that is used (e.g., a two-page document printed two-sided on one sheet of paper will cost $.50). Because the public printers are shared by other users, patrons may not print on their own paper or label sheets. Public printers are located in the Microforms room in the Adult Department, the Children’s Department, and the Circulation Lobby. 

Microsoft Office products

In addition to the Internet, computer users can access Microsoft Office products - Word, Excel, Publisher, and PowerPoint - on the Public Internet Computers. 

Database Computers

The library has 2 Database computers in the Microforms room in the Adult Department. These computers connect only to online databases and Microsoft Office products. Session length parameters are the same as the Public Internet Computers (see Session Length).

15-minute Public Access Computers

Two 15-minute computers are available for short-term Internet use in the Adult area. There is one 15-minute computer available for short-term Internet use in the Children's area. 

Children’s Department Computers

The Children’s Services Department's Family Homework Center is available with the same features, policies, and procedures as the Public Internet Computers in the Adult & Teen Services Department. 

Updated March 2023