Public Computers

What does a child need to get on a public computer?

Children in 5th grade and under log onto the Children's Room computers using their 14 digit West Babylon Library Card number and 4 digit password number (Children who are non-residents can obtain a guest card at the Children's Reference Desk).

How can I be sure that my printouts will be good?

Use the Print Preview function to see what your printout will look like before sending your print job.

Can I use my own paper?

No, only Library supplied paper can be used.

How do I get a refund?

-PLEASE double check that your print job looks the way you want, BEFORE you print, by clicking the File– Print Preview option before printing.
-User errors, typos, formatting issues, printing the wrong document, printing too many or blank pages CAN NOT be refunded.
-In addition, materials such as web pages that, due to the layout or design, are difficult to read, CAN NOT be refunded.
-However, if your output is significantly smudged, faded, streaked, spotty, or creased or the printer jams you can request a refund at the Adult Reference Desk.

Who do I contact if I have problems using the printing system?

A Librarian at the Reference Desk or a Computer Services staff member can assist you with any problems you may encounter when using the Uniprint printing system.

What happens if there's not enough money on my card?

-Once logged in at a Print Release computer, if you select one of your jobs to print and your card does not contain enough value to print the entire document, then Uniprint will not allow you to print the job.
-An error message will appear at the bottom of the screen, saying: "ERROR Insufficient funds to continue print job"
-You will need to go to the self-service machine at the entrance to the Library and add value to your card.

Are there limitations on how much money I can add to my Library Card/Copy Card?

Yes, a maximum of $40 can be added to either card.

Can a job sent to the printer from the Release Station be cancelled or stopped from printing?

No. Once a job is selected and released for printing, it cannot be cancelled.

What happens to print jobs that are sent to the Release Station, but not printed?

A print request will be removed automatically from the Release Station if it has not been printed within 12 hours. You will not be charged for them.

What happens if I lose my Library Card or Copy Card?

You will need to purchase a new card. Any value on your Library Card or Copy Card will not be replaced if the card is lost, stolen or destroyed.

How do I print if I do not have a West Babylon Public Library Card?

If you are NOT a West Babylon School District resident, you must purchase a Copy Card at the self service machine at the entrance to the Library.

How can I check my card balance?

You can check your card balance at the self-service machine at the entrance to the Library OR at the Circulation Desk.

How do I add money to my Library Card?

-If you are a West Babylon School District resident, you can obtain a West Babylon Public Library Card with a magnetic stripe.
-If you are NOT a West Babylon School District resident, you must purchase a Copy Card at the self service machine at the entrance to the Library.
You can add money to either card using the same self-service machines. Please go to the Circulation Desk for further information on obtaining a Library Card or Copy Card.

How does the Uniprint printing system work?

-At a public computer, the patron clicks File- Print from within the application (Internet Explorer or any Microsoft Office program).
-To send your print job to the Black and White Printer simply by clicking the Print button.
-To print color, you must select the Color Printer by clicking on this option in the Print window. -Double check that the print job looks the way you want BEFORE you print by clicking the File– Print Preview option before printing. User errors, typos, formatting issues, printing the wrong document, printing too many pages of the document or blank pages WILL NOT be refunded. In addition, materials such as web pages that, due to the layout or design, are difficult to read WILL NOT be refunded. If your output is significantly smudged, faded, streaked, spotty, or creased or the printer jams you can request a refund at the Adult Reference Desk.
-Patrons CANNOT use their own paper. The paper supplied in the Library is the only paper that can be used in our printers.
-When you are ready to retrieve your print jobs you will need to go to a Print Release computer located at either end of the Internet computers to release your print jobs. You will be required to login to the Print Release computer using the barcode on the back of your Library Card (or Guest Card) and your password (last 4 digits of your phone number).

How much does printing cost?

Black and White– First 10 per day are FREE.
Thereafter, black and white printouts are 10 cents per page.
Color– 20 cents per page.

What is Uniprint?

Pharos Uniprint is print management software. The installation of Pharos Uniprint is the West Babylon Public Library’s effort to promote responsible printing and to conserve resources by controlling printing abuse, waste and rising costs. Printouts will be high quality with the option of color printing.

Will Pharos keep a history of my Internet activity?

This system is not being implemented to track Internet activity. However, we do continue to expect our patrons to abide by our Internet Usage Policy. Anyone who violates this agreement will be asked to leave the premises and may have their Internet privileges revoked.

Can I request a specific computer?

You can use any computer by logging on to that computer when it is vacant. The Pharos system does not allow you to request specific computers.

What if the Internet goes down?

-If you were using the Internet, you should log off to preserve your remaining time.
-If you are using Word or other applications, you will not be affected.

If I forget to log out, will I lose all of my time?

Maybe. Here’s what could happen:
-If the mouse or keyboard is not used for 10 minutes, you will be logged off.
-If you leave and someone else starts using the computer they could use your remaining time. Be sure to log out!

How do I log off?

Click the icon on the desktop labeled End Your Pharos Session.

If I have to use the restroom, will I be timed out when I leave the computer?

-If you leave the computer and you are gone for 10 minutes or more, you will be logged off.
-You have the option to lock the computer by using ctrl/alt/delete

What is Extended Session Time?

-Extended Session Time is when you are about to time out of your session. You will be put into Extended Session Time automatically if there are open computers and you have not yet used your maximum 3 hour limit (2 hour limit for children in 5th grade and under).
-Once an additional person signs up and gets placed into the Queue, the first patron to enter Extended Session Time will receive a 5-minute warning.
-After the 5-minute warning, the patron will be logged off and the next patron in the queue will be assigned that computer.

How will I know when my time is up?

You will be warned of the time you have left at 10 minutes and again at 5 minutes before the computer logs you off and the next person is assigned.

What happens if I only use 30 minutes of my time?

If you don't use all of your hour, you can use the remaining time later in the day. Be sure to log off, so the system knows that you have time remaining. The system will automatically log off if the computer is inactive for 10 minutes.

How long can I be on the computer?

Your time is limited to 1 hour, which can be extended if no one else is waiting, for a maximum time of 3 hours per person per day OR 3 reservations per day for adults and teens.
There is a 30 minute time limit on computers in the Children's room (for children in 5th grade and under) which is automatically extended if no one else is waiting, for a maximum time of 2 hours per child per day OR 4 logins per day.

How much time do I have to log in to the computer once I have made a reservation?

-Once your computer is available, you have 5 minutes to log in to that computer.
-If you do not log in within 5 minutes, you will lose your reservation and need to sign up again.

How will I know when my computer is ready?

Your alias (*first name + first letter of your last name) will appear on the Queue Monitors (located above the copy machines, in the Young Adult Area or in the Café), highlighted in orange, with the location of your computer listed.
*Please note: If there is more than 1 patron with the same first name + first letter of last name, a number will automatically be added to the end of your alias.

Are there advance reservations in person?

Yes, you can make a reservation for any available time up to 48 hours in advance. However, only one reservation can be made at a time.

Are there advance reservations over the phone or over the Web?

Currently you can only make reservations over the phone. When calling the Library please ask for the Reference Desk. Be ready to provide the Reference Librarian with your Library Card number and password.

Can I cancel my reservation?

-Yes, go to the Reservation Station located at the Adult Reference Desk and enter your Library Card number and password.
-Your reservation will be displayed.
-Choose Cancel Reservation.
-Choose Yes.
-Click on Log Out.

I forgot my Library Card. How do I log on to the computer?

You can apply for a Temporary card at the Circulation Desk (teens and adults).
Children can apply for a Pharos Guest card at the Children’s Desk. Cards are to be returned to Children’s Reference Desk at the end of usage for that given day.

Do I really have to wait 1 hour when my name is in the Queue?

This 1 hour is an approximate wait time. We recommend you monitor the Queue (either on the large monitor located in the Café Area or on the monitor located near the Word Processors) because your session could begin sooner, and you will have 5 minutes to go to your assigned computer and log on.
If a computer becomes available because a patron logs off early, Pharos will automatically assign that computer to the next patron in the queue.

How am I identified in the Pharos system?

You are identified by an alias. The alias is your first name + the first letter in your last name. In the case where there is more than 1 patron with the same alias, a number will be added to the end of the alias.

How do I get started using a public computer?

If a computer is not being used, sit down at the computer and log in with your barcode + password. You will be able to use the computer for up to one hour (30 minutes in the Children's Room).
If all the computers are being used, go to the Reservation Station to make a reservation for the next available computer. Once your reservation is created, keep an eye on the queue monitors located above the copy machines, in the Young Adult Area or in the Café (for teens and adults). The monitors list the people in the queue and tells you when and which computer is ready for your login. When you see that the computer is ready for you, sit down at the computer and log in.

What does a teen or adult need to get on a public computer?

You must log in to the computers using your 14 digit West Babylon Library Card number (OR if you are Non-Resident with a Suffolk County Public Library Card, you may use the number on the back of your Card) and 4 digit password number.
-Your 4 digit password number is the last 4 digits of your telephone number.

-If you are unable to login with your barcode + the last 4 digits of your telephone number please see a Reference Librarian for assistance.

-If you don’t have a Suffolk County Public Library Card, you will need to apply for a Computer Access Card at the Circulation Desk. You will be asked to show ID (with your name and address) in order to obtain these privileges.