Technology Services
The Portage District Library makes every effort to be a place where you can come to access technology. Ask at the information desk if you are unsure which machine is best for your needs.
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. Please see One on One Computer Learning below.
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 four computers with educational games in the children’s room, and one with cool games on it in the teen room, which can be used by anybody in the library.
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 two computers for job searchers. Ask at the information desk to be logged on to those computers.
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.
One on One Computer Learning
We offer one on one computer tutorials. You can make an appointment for a session about Email, Computer Basics, Microsoft Word, The Internet, Genealogy, Business Resources, or The Library Catalog. Inquire at the information desk in person, or call (269) 329-4544, selection 1.
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 loaded 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.
