Technology Services

We can provide limited assistance to patrons unfamiliar with using a computer,

We offer the following services in our building:

Circulating Laptops

If you are a resident user, you may check out a Laptop from behind the information desk. Circulating Laptops go out for an hour, and you may check them out again if nobody is waiting to use one. You may download any type of file on a circulating laptop, but some types of interactive sites may be blocked.

Computer Access

You can use your library card barcode number to access the Internet and software on our computers. If you do not have a library card, you can get a guest pass at the circulation desk. Computer time is limited to one hour per day. Certain file types may not be downloaded on desktop PCs.

Computer Classes

We do not currently offer computer classes. However there are a number of ways you can better your understanding of computers through the Portage District Library. Go to our Teach Yourself Computers page to learn more.

Copy Machines

We have copy machines on the upper level behind the adult information desk, and on lower level in teen room. Copiers are black and white. Copy are 10 cents a page.

E-Newsletter

Please sign up for our E-Newsletter on this page.

E-Readers

Adult users can borrow a Kindle, pre-loaded with bestselling titles, from behind the information desk. The hold cue is currently quite long.

Fax Machine

We have a Fax Machine available for public use on the upper level. You must have a credit card to use it. Domestic rates are $1.50 a page for the first page, and $1.00 for each page thereafter. International rates are $4.95 a page for the first page, and $3.45 for each page thereafter.

Filters

Internet stations on the upper level are not filtered, but patrons may not access pornographic sites by Michigan state law. You can find more information here.

Internet stations in the children’s and young adult rooms are filtered. Patrons under the age of 18 must have a permission slip signed by a legal guardian to access any machine.

Flash Drives:

We circulate flash drives from behind the information desk, in case you need to download large files to travel.

Game computers (Lower Level)

There are three computers with educational games for preschool and primary grade users available in the preschool and juvenile rooms. There are two PS2 stations available for elementary-age users in the juvenile room, and an XBox 360 game room is available to teen users with a school ID or parent present and library card.

Hotspot

We are a wireless hotspot. You will need a library card or guest pass to access the internet on your laptop.

Job Computers

We have set aside one computer for job searchers. Ask at the information desk to be logged on to that computer.

Kindles

See E-readers, above.

Listening Stations

Stations near the music collections on the upper level and in the Teen Room allow you to scan a CD’s bar code and preview tracks.

Payphone

There is a payphone on the upper level.

Playaways

We circulate Playaways, listening devices that hold one audio book each. They are kept near the audio books. We circulate adaptors that allow you to play Playaway titles on your car’s radio. They are located at the information desk.

Printing

You may print from stationary computer stations. All printing is in black and white. Printing is 10 cents a page.

Research computers

We have a bank of computers that can be used for an unlimited amount of time to browse magazine and newspaper databases

Software

Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Office 2007: Excel, Power Point, and Word are all loaded on each public computer. Certain file types may not be downloaded on desktop PCs.

Teen iPods

Patrons may check out an iPod from behind the youth desk in the lower level. A selection of iTune albums may be checked out on the iPods.

Teen Xbox

At the youth desk on the lower level, teens may sign up to use a room stocked with an Xbox and Xbox game titles for one hour at a time.