The library's technology center offers state-of-the-art computer equipment for public use by library patrons and is a source of pride for the Mission Viejo Library. The main technology center, located in the south wing, is for adult patrons.  Just north of the Adult Reference Desk are the computer kiosks for teenagers.  A separate children's technology center is located in the north wing, within the Children's Department.

General Computer Use
Software Use
Internet Use
Hardware Use
Computer Assistance
Volunteering

General Computer Use

Q: How many computers are available for public use?
A: There are 20 computers available in the main technology center for patrons ages 18 and older. Patrons ages 6 to 12 have access to 6 regular computers. Young adults, ages 13 through 17, may access the 6 teen computers located next to the Reference Desk. Patrons under 6 years of age may use the 2 multimedia learning stations in the children's department, with parental supervision. Children and teens under the age of 18 must have parental permission to access the public computers.

Q: Can I use my laptop at the library?
A: Yes, however, you should bring an extra battery as power outlets may not be available. Laptop users may only access the Internet through our wireless network as you are not able to plug into our public computer network.  Please refer to our Wi-Fi Network page.

Q: Is there a computer use fee?
A: All public computers are available free of charge to library cardholders, and our wireless network is free of charge to the public. Library cards are free to most California residents. Adult visitors who do not have a library card may purchase a Courtesy Card for $2.00 from the Circulation Desk.

Q: Do I need to bring my library card to use the computers?
A: Yes, you will need it to logon to the public computers. You do not need a library card to use your own laptop with our wireless network.

Q: May we reserve a computer?
A: No, computers are available on a first come, first served basis. If the computers are full, you may sign up on the Automated Waiting List located next to the printer in the main technology center (for adults) and next to the computers in the children's department (for youth patrons). Teens have their own Automated Waiting List located in the sorting shelves near the Reference Desk.

Q: What hours are the computers available?
A: All public computers are available during normal library business hours. The public computer network automatically shuts down 5 minutes prior to closing each evening, and the wireless network automatically shuts down 10 minutes prior to closing.  Please refer to our library hours.

Q: What times of day are the computers most likely to be full?
A: Computer activity fluctuates; however, the busiest hours are usually between 12:00pm - 2:00pm, and between 3:00pm - 7:00pm.

Q: How much time are we allowed on the computers each day?
A: You are allowed 1-hour of use per day, and may receive up to three 30-minute time extensions if open computers are available and no other patrons are waiting.

Q: How is computer use time monitored?
A: The library uses an automated system to manage computer use time and issue any time extensions. You can monitor your own time from the countdown clock displayed when you logon to a computer. The system will not issue time extensions when computers are full, or after your 3rd extension. After completing 1 full login session (1-hour, plus any time extensions), our system will automatically log you off the computer.

Q: Why does the computer sometimes tell me that I have to wait a certain length of time before I can login again?
A: After completing 1 full login session (1-hour, plus any time extensions), the system forces you to remain off the computers for 60-minutes in order to keep computers available for all patrons. This occurs whether you log off after 1-hour of use, or whether the automated system logs you off when time expires. You may login for another 1-hour session after the mandatory 60-minute waiting period if computers are available. If you attempt to login early, the system will display a message advising how much time remains before you can login again.

Software Use

Q: What software is available on the public computers?
A: The 20 teen and adult computers and 5 of the children's computers, have the following programs available: Microsoft Windows 2003, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft PowerPoint 2003, Microsoft Excel 2003, Notepad, Adobe Reader, and all of our online databases. There is 1 standalone computer in the Children's Department that only has access to Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Q: What software is available on the 2 multimedia learning stations for patrons under 6 years of age?
A: The multimedia learning stations are designed to help young children develop their learning, listening, and creativity skills through a series of interactive games and stories. The following programs are available: Learn to Read Beginning, Story Place (The Children’s Digital Library), Tumble Book Library, Learning the ABC, I’m Reading Beginning to Intermediate, PBS Kids Game, It’s Fun to Read Intermediate.

Q: What types of files can we open and view on the computers?
A: You can open and view file formats saved from any of the software applications available on our computers. This includes files ending in the following extensions: .doc (Word), .ppt (PowerPoint), .xls (Excel), .txt (Notepad), .pdf (Adobe), .html (Internet), and the image formats (.jpg, .gif, .tif, and .png). Audio, video, or zip files can be opened from a disk or CD.

Q: Can Macintosh (Mac) files be used your computers?
A: All of our computers are PCs; we do not own any Mac computers. If your disk or CD has been formatted in a Mac computer, you will not be able to use it on our computers. Some word processing files created on Word for Mac can be opened in Microsoft Word by going to the File menu, selecting Open, and choosing "Word for Macintosh" from the Files of Type menu on the Open dialog box. You can then work on the file on our computers, in Microsoft Word, and save it to disk by choosing the same file type from the Save As dialog box.

Q: How can we open Microsoft Works or Corel WordPerfect documents?
A: Microsoft Works documents can be opened in Microsoft Word or Excel, by choosing the appropriate option from the Files of Type menu in the Open dialog box. For word processing documents, select "Microsoft Works for Windows - .wps extension"; for spreadsheets, select "Microsoft Works - .wks extension". WordPerfect documents can be opened in Microsoft Word by selecting "Wordperfect - .doc or .wpd extension."

Q: Can we use foreign language fonts on the computers?
A: Our Internet browsers allow you to view Web pages encoded in a foreign language, but the language settings on each individual computer cannot be changed for administrative reasons.

Internet Use

Q: Do all the public computers have Internet access?
A: Internet access is available on the 6 teen computers, the 20 adult computers, and 5 of the children's computers. Please refer to our Internet Use Policy and Internet Use Guidelines.

Q: What type of Internet connection is available for the public computers?
A: The library maintains a high-speed Internet connection for the 25 Internet-enabled public computers and the wireless network. The speed, or bandwidth, can be affected by the number of users and size of files being downloaded.

Q: Is your Internet filtered?
A: All City of Mission Viejo computers are filtered to block out gambling sites, adult content sites, and sites that pose a security risk to our network. This includes instant messaging and chat.

Q: Can we request that the library unblock certain filtered sites?
A: Yes, patrons may request that we review individual sites. The City's Information Technology staff will take the site under consideration and advise you of their decision. To request a site review, please note the site URL address, and visit the Reference Desk, or refer to our Adult Reference Query form.

Q: Why is a blocked content page displayed when I try to access my Netscape AIM web email notification on my own laptop?
A: Web email access is allowed on our network, however, our filtering software blocks AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) and all other instant messaging software.

Q: Is the library's Internet connection secure?
A: The library has security measures in place to secure the wired public network. However, security is not guaranteed and the library is not liable. This is a very public place, so you should take caution in what type of personal information you display on our public computers, and make sure you log out of any online accounts before closing the Internet browser. Our wireless Internet network is NOT secure; please refer to our Wi-Fi Network page.

Q: When using your wireless network, my firewall sometimes displays a message that someone is trying to access my computer and is pinging me. Could this be the library doing this?
A: The library does not try to access your computer. This may be another Wi-Fi laptop user from within the library, or someone from outside, trying to reach or hack your system. This is exactly the type of situation a firewall is meant to protect against, and why it is so important that you maintain a current firewall program on your computer.

Hardware Use

Q: What media formats are supported to open or save files?
A: Patrons may open files from a floppy disk or CD, as long as they are saved in a file format that is supported. Patrons may save files only to a floppy disk. The computers are not equipped with writeable CD drives and do not support USB flash drives. Saving to the hard drive is not permitted for security purposes. Patrons may purchase a floppy disk for $1.00 in our Bookstore.

Q: Does the library keep lost disks or CDs?
A: If lost disks or CDs are turned in to the library, we hold these at the technology center help desk for one month. We will attempt to contact you if your name, phone number, or email is written on the label. If a disk or CD is not claimed within 30 days, it is destroyed.

Q: Do the computers have sound and how can we listen to it?
A: Sound cards are installed on all public computers, but do not have audible speakers. You may listen to audio if you bring in your own headphones and plug them into the computer. The library only provides headphones for the youth computers located in the children's department.

Q: Are any multimedia players installed on the computers and can we listen to or view streaming audio or video files?
A: Windows Media Player is installed on all public computers. Streaming audio and video are blocked by our filtering system due to the impact on Internet bandwidth speed. You may listen to audio files and view video files that you have on disk or CD.

Q: Is printing available in the library?
A: Printing is available for a nominal charge. All printing, faxing, and photocopying uses our Vend-A-Card system. Patrons may purchase a card for $1.00, which has $0.50 of print value. Add more money to the card to increase its value. Black & white printing is $0.12 per page, and color printing is $0.75 per page. A color printer is located in the main technology center, and a black & white printer is located in Alcove 1 by the children's department and in the Technology Center. Both printers are accessible from every computer.

Q: May we print to our own special paper, labels, or envelopes?
A: You may print on special paper or envelopes by using the manual feed tray on either printer, but you are responsible for making sure the paper is properly inserted to print out correctly. Regular printing fees apply. Label printing is not permitted due to the risk this poses for jamming the printers.

Q: Do you have a public photocopy machine?
A: We have two black & white copiers located in Alcoves 1 and 2 of the North wing, which accept coins, bills, or the Vend-A-Card. A color copier is also available in the children’s department, which only accepts coins. Black & white copies cost $0.12 per page, and color copies cost $0.60 per page.

Q: Do you have a public fax machine?
A: Yes, we have one located in the main technology center that runs off our Vend-A-Card system. Faxes cost $1.00 per page to send anywhere in the United States. International faxing is not available.

Q: Do you have a public scanner?
A: We do not have this equipment available.

Computer Assistance

Q: Is there someone who can help us use the Internet, sign-up for email, or use the software applications?
A: Our technology center volunteers and staff are available most days and evenings to assist you. Please see the technology center help desk.

Q: Do we need to make an appointment for computer assistance?
A: No, computer assistance is offered on a drop-in basis when volunteers or staff are scheduled in the technology center.

Q: Do you offer any computer classes?
A: Yes, we offer a selection of monthly computer classes of varied topics and levels. Please refer to the Free Computer Classes page for beginner classes.

Q: Do you offer individual or group computer tutoring?
A: We do not have the resources to offer tutoring.

Q: Do you have books that teach how to use computers and software?
A: Yes, the library staff is happy to help you pick out the right books. Please see the technology center Library Assistant at the help desk, or the Librarians at the Reference Desk.

Q: Can the library staff and volunteers help me with my own laptop?
A: We cannot assist you with your laptop, wireless card, or configuration. The Library staff cannot accept the liability of handling your equipment.

Volunteering

Q: Can patrons with computer experience volunteer at the library?
A: The library has many opportunities for computer-proficient adult volunteers. Please refer to our Volunteer Opportunities page for current openings.