Computers at the Library

Computers at the Library

Pasadena Public Library has a wide variety of computers and computerized resources available to our patrons on a regular basis. The following overview will help you to learn about the resources and how to make use of them.
Except as noted, the computers are available free of charge for a limited amount of time per day, but there are fees for printing, in most cases 10 cents per page printed.

Central Library Resources

Library Catalog - There are computerized Library Catalogs located on each floor of the circulating book collection, in the Children's Room, on the north walls of the Main Hall, on the Internet computers, the Microform Center computers, the Express Stations, and the computers in the Technology Learning Center.
Electronic resources - State-of-the-art business, economic, historical, contemporary and educational databases allow you to access scholarly and professional resources. These are accessible on computers in the Technology Learning Center, the Express Stations, and all Internet terminals. For highlights of the collection including policy and remote access please visit: www.cityofpasadena.net/library/e-resources.asp
Internet Reservations -
PC Reservation Station: Reserve one Internet session per day (up to one hour in length) with your Pasadena/Glendale library card at self-serve PC reservation stations located in the Business Wing. If you do not yet have a Pasadena/Glendale card, the application form is available online (PDF) or at any of our libraries. The last reservation for the current day can be made about half an hour before closing. Internet stations shut off 15 minutes prior to closing.
Reservations by phone: Phone reservations can be made for the current day only, Monday through Saturday with your Pasadena/Glendale library card number. For reservations at our Central Library, call (626)744-4066, option 2 for assistance.
Online reservations: Select “Reserve a PC” from the Library’s Home Page to reserve up to one hour per day of Internet time using your Pasadena/Glendale library card.
Express Stations - Two 15 minute express terminals are available in the Humanities Wing on a first-come first-served basis, with no reservations required. The computers are equipped with the library's catalog, electronic resources, and the Internet. Express stations shut off 15 minutes prior to closing.
Computers for Kids - There are computers in the Children's Room of the Central Library with educational software for children and limited Internet access. These computers will only link to sites on our Library or City web, or to sites linked directly from the Library's web. This permits parents and children to use the library's own resources, but does not permit full web access. Parents and kids should view our Internet Policy for Kids. There is also a special Kids' Catalog computer in the Children's Room, designed to help kids search for books in our collection. Computers in the Children's Room shut off 5 minutes prior to closing.
Pay-for-use computers - These are available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Microform Center of the Central Library at the cost of $4 an hour. Pay-for-use computers shut off 5 minutes prior to closing.
Word processing - Word processing is available on all Internet computers. It is only available without a reservation during the hours the Technology Learning Center is open to the general public: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.; 6:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Printing Documents - In order to print documents or web pages from our computers, you must use a Vendacard. These are available in the vending machines at the Central Library or at the Circulation desk of any of our branch libraries. You can add value to the card in the same vending machines or at our branches. The Vendacard can also be used to pay for the use of copy machines and fax machines in our library, as well as pay-for-use computers. At present, only black and white laser printers are available for your use. Each page printed on these laser printers costs 10 cents. All print requests are held for 24 hours. Print stations are available until 5 to 15 minutes before closing, depending on location. Check with staff for details.
Visual Enhancement Workstation - The Central Library offers computer workstations with visual enhancement software. For further information, please call the library at (626) 744-4066, and press 7 for Reference Services.
Technology Learning Center - This computer lab is the site of many of the Library's free computer training classes for the public. When not in use for training, it is open to children and teens Monday-Thursday, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. With a wide variety of applications, ranging from web browsing to office software, it permits the users to learn new skills or spend time researching for reports. Users can sign up for 30-minute time slots, up to two slots per day. In addition, the TLC is open to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis during the following hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 2:30p.m. and 6:00 - 8:45 p.m.; Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:45p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 5:45p.m. During these expanded hours for the general public, only limited internet service is available, for the use of the library web pages and the direct links from those.
Wireless Access - Wireless Internet access is available from any public room at any Pasadena Public Library location, except the Central Library circulating stacks. This will permit patrons with properly equipped laptop computers and other portable computing devices to access the web while doing research in our library. Wireless access is available during all open hours. A valid Pasadena library card and PIN are required for Wi-Fi access. Library cards are available at all Pasadena locations free of charge to any resident of the State of California. Temporary library card numbers, which can used for certain online services (including onsite wireless) and which can be converted to permanent library cards within 60 days, are available online.

Branch Library Resources
Each of our Branch Libraries has a set of catalog computers to help you to find materials within our library system. These catalogs are located in or near the adult reading area of the branch.

Internet stations - are available at each of our Branch Libraries. You can sign up for 30-minute time slots, up to two slots per day, at any one of our sites. Please contact the individual branches to inquire about computer hours. To make a phone reservation for current day only, call (626) 744-4066, option 2, or call the branch directly.
Computers for Kids - These computers are at all of our Branch Libraries, and have educational software for children, as well as limited internet access, only to websites that are directly linked to the Pasadena Public Library website. This permits parents and children to use our direct Internet resources without access to the full web on these computers.
Wireless Access - Wireless Internet access is available from any public room at any Pasadena Public Library location, except the Central Library circulating stacks. Wireless access is available during all open hours. A valid Pasadena library card and PIN are required for Wi-Fi access. Temporary library card numbers, which can used for certain online services (including onsite wireless) and which can be converted to permanent library cards within 60 days, are available online.

Computer Labs:
La Pintoresca Branch Technology Learning Center - This computer lab is used for training as well as public computer use. The hours are Monday - Thursday, 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., for use by the general public.
Villa Parke Computer Lab - This computer lab has Internet and word processing applications that permit users to do research, create documents and make use of other options for doing schoolwork or for personal enjoyment. Hours for use by the general public are Monday - Thursday 3:00 - 7:00 pm and Friday 3:00 - 6:00 pm.