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Computer Labs
- Computers have Internet Explorer and the basic Microsoft Office applications of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access.
- All labs close 15 minutes before the library's closing time.
- Lab hours subject to change without notice.
- The computers are self-service. The library staff will assist you with logging in with your library card and pin number, but will not be able to provide detailed instructional assistance. Volunteer computer coaches are available on a limited schedule at the Central Library. You may also contact local community colleges or adult education for basic computer classes.
- Users must enter their Huntington Beach Library card number and PIN (the last 4 digits of the phone number on file). Users must also agree to Computer Lab Use Agreement.
Computer Lab Policies and Code of Conduct
Lab Policy
- Free access to the Internet is available for HBPL cardholders.
- Each card holder gets one hour per day with the option to extend for a second hour. Time can only be extended if there are three open computers available.
- Non-cardholders may use the fee-based Media Lab computers.
- All users need their own HBPL card to access the computers. Library cards are not transferable.
- Patrons must be 13 years or older to use the Computer Lab. Children under 13 years may use the computers in the Children’s Department. There are computers available in the Teen Center for young adults between the ages of 13 and 18. Teens get two hours with no option of extending.
- The Library reserves the right to block web sites that contain adult content, as well as those web sites that utilize chat software (i.e., chat rooms, discussion lists, and forums).
- Users agree to adhere to the Library's Computer Lab Use Agreement.
- The Library is not responsible for damage to users' disks or computers or for any loss of data, damage or liability that may occur from use of the Library's computers.
- Computers are available on a first come, first served basis. There are no reservations.
Lab Code of Conduct
- No food or drink is allowed in the Computer Lab.
- Users may not bring in chairs from outside of the Lab.
- When using the Internet at the Library, YOU MAY NOT:
- Load personal software on Library workstations.
- Use the Library Internet workstations for any illegal activity or to harass other individuals.
- Tamper with Library computer workstation equipment or exploit any gaps in system security.
- Gain access to unauthorized resources or entities.
- Invade the personal privacy of individuals.
- Misuse of the computer or Internet access will result in loss of your computer privileges.
- All other Library Rules of Conduct apply in the Lab.
Library computers currently have Internet Explorer version 7 and Microsoft Office version 2003 with Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Some newer model computers in the Central Library Adult Lab may have Microsoft Office version 2007.
Computer Lab: How to Open or Save a File
To open or save files on your personal storage media, the program application must be started first to open or save the file. For example, to open a Word file, start up the Microsoft Word application program. From the Microsoft Word program's menu bar, click on File, Open, click OK to ignore the warning popup message about "operations canceled due to file restrictions", and then double-click on My Computer or the drop-down arrow in the Look in box to see the listing of all drives.
USB drives can be used without the floppy drive on the Reference Database stations, just click Cancel to the message prompting for 3 ½” floppy disk, then click on drop-down arrow to specify the USB drive.
Removable Storage Media that can be used in Computer Lab
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CD-Roms and DVDs | READ only, cannot be written to or saved. Outside software cannot be installed on library computers. |
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USB Drives | Also called thumb drives, jump drives, memory sticks, flash drives, pen drives can be read and saved or written to. We strongly recommend that you back up your USB drive onto a secondary location in case you ever lose your drive or it becomes damaged. |
WARNING: SOFTWARE DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET MAY CONTAIN A VIRUS. YOU NEED TO HAVE VIRUS CHECKING SOFTWARE LOADED ON YOUR COMPUTER TO AVOID A VIRUS.
Black & white laser prints are available for 15 cents per page/ color prints are 50 cents per page.
Please view print previews before printing so that you do not waste money on blank or incorrect prints. Refunds are only given for mechanical print failures.
1. Print preview your document and select the desired number of copies and page range.
2. Print job will be sent to the Print Station. It will be deleted if not printed in 2 hours.
3. Retrieve your print jobs at the Print Station, using your library card number.
Branch & Media Lab users: please ask and pay library staff to have print jobs released.
4. The print station will tell you how much your print job will cost. Deposit coins or bills (up to $5) in the coin/bill stand. There is a maximum of 33 pages for each print job, so if your print job is more than 33 pages, send it as multiple separate jobs.
Wi-Fi at HBPL: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who can use the wireless network?
A. It is freely available to anyone who has a wireless capable device inside the library. You do not have to be resident or have a library card to use the Wi-Fi.
Q. What is the SSID (service set identifier) that is necessary to connect to the wireless network?
A. The SSID is kids for users in the Children's area. The SSID is hblibrary for users in all other wireless-accessible areas of the Central library, Oak View and Main Street branch libraries.
Q. Are there any security settings necessary to connect to the wireless network?
A. No, there is no security necessary to connect to wireless, i.e. WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or WPA (Wi-Fi protected Access).
Q. What type of wireless cards supported?
A. Most cards running wireless protocol 802.11b and 802.11g. There is no support for the 802.11a protocol at this time.
Q. What services will I be able to use on the Internet?
A. The only services available are HTTP and HTTPS. Remote access programs like Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Citrix, and Outlook email are unavailable.
Q. Is my Internet browsing filtered in any way?
A. Yes.
Q. Is my computer secure while it is connected to the wireless network?
A. There should be no presumption of security for the wireless network at the library.
Q. Does the library provide technical assistance with connectivity?
A. No. If you need assistance contact the manufacturer of your laptop or software. The library is not responsible for changes you make to your computer settings.
Q. Can I print to the library's printer from my laptop?
A. No. You will have to log on to the library's computers to print. You can email the document to yourself and retrieve it off a website or transfer by saving it to flash usb drive and use the library's computers to print.
Q. Can I connect to other wireless networks available in the Library?
A. The Central library provides only two wireless portals to the Internet. They are hblibrary and kids. All others are not the property of the Huntington Beach Public Library. Please use caution when connecting to any public wireless and do not transmit sensitive data on those networks.
Q. What hours is the wireless network available?
The wireless network is available during the business hours for Oak View and Main St branches. The Central library wireless network is available Mondays through Thursdays from 7am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 7am to 5pm. It is not available on Sundays.
Problems Connecting with Wi-Fi
If you are having problems connecting to the library's wireless network, try some of these procedures below. If you still have problems connecting after attempting these procedures, the problem is beyond the scope of the library's assistance and you may need to consult with an independent computer network expert.
- Reboot your computer and try connecting again.
- Repair your wireless connection, locate the wireless network connection icon located in the lower right hand corner near the time clock. It is a picture of a computer with 3 rays radiating towards the right.
- Access the repair option by right clicking on the wireless icon and selecting the Repair option from the popup menu.
- If the repair option did not help, click on the Open Network Connections option from the popup menu. Locate the wireless connection icon and click once on it. You should see the details for icon. The wireless network connection details should show that the IP Address is Assigned by DHCP.
- If not, right click on the Wireless Network Connection icon and click on Properties. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on the Properties button.
- The options "Obtain an IP address automatically" and "Obtain DNS server automatically should be selected." If you have the option "Use the following IP address" selected and specific IP numbers entered, you will want to record your current settings so that you can put your IP settings back when you return to your usual network.
