Q. Can I use a computer at the Library?

Computer Access at the Library

There are public internet computers available for use at both the Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park Libraries.  You can access them by entering your library card number and PIN to sign in to the computer.  If you do not have a library card, or just don't have your card with you, you can stop at the Information Desk for a computer pass. 

Computer sessions are 2 hours in length, if there are not people waiting to use computers, you can request an extension at your station.  If you are taking a test at your station, and think it might take more than 2 hours, please ask for an extension right after you sign on to the computer, so that you do not risk the computer shutting down while you are working. 

Every computer workstation includes access to the Internet, Word, and Excel. Unfortunately, we are not able to download additional software to the computers.  There are not any microphones or cameras installed in the computers.  You may bring your own headphones to use with mini-jack or usb connectors, you can also pick up earbuds at the Information Desk. 

Zoom and other online meetings may be accessed in the Business Center.  You can use this by making a reservation for the Business Center online, or by checking for availability at the Information Desk, or by using Ask-a-Librarian. 

If you are on your own laptop, tablet or other device, and using the Library WiFi, it will expire every two hours.  It is not possible to extend this period, but you can sign back on to the WiFi immediately. 

Any unsaved work, including word documents, forms, etc. are purged when the computer station shuts down, and are unrecoverable.  Please save your work to a USB drive or Cloud drive frequently.  We cannot be responsible for lost work if there is a power or internet service outage.

At the end of the day, the Internet computer stations will automatically shut down 5 minutes before the Library closes.  Staff cannot prevent the shut down process, so please plan accordingly to save your work in plenty of time to avoid issues at closing. 

Note that depending on when you started your session, it may end more than 5 minutes before the Library closes - you will see a warning on your computer screen with the actual time that the session will end. If it is 15 minutes or less until closing, staff will not be able to extend your session.

Please see our Internet Policy page for the Internet Use Contract