All Tampa-Hillsborough Public Libraries offer PCs with Internet access, printing, copiers, and free wifi. Other technologies and services are available as described below.
Computers and Internet Access
Use of computers is free of charge. Residents must log on to Internet PCs with their own library card number.
You may use Internet computers for a total of 180 minutes per day. Internet Express computers offer single 15-minute sessions which count toward the daily limit.
Software installed on public computers includes Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher), Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Premiere Elements, DVD burning software, Windows Media Player, and Netsmartz Internet safety software. Many locations also have workstations with access to Adobe Creative Cloud.
Wi-Fi
Wireless Internet access is free and available at all full service library locations. To use, select the SSID/network identifier HCPLC in your wi-fi configuration, ensuring that encryption is turned off or not enabled.
Laptop Borrowing
Laptops may be borrowed from laptop dispensing kiosks for up to 3 hours for use inside the library only and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Laptops cannot be removed the library.
Borrowers must be 17 years of age or older, and only one laptop may be checked out at a time.
Upon return, the laptop-dispensing kiosk will reboot and charge the laptop. Any information saved to the hard drive during the checkout period will be permanently erased during the reboot process.
Software installed on public laptops includes Windows 10, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Adobe Digital Editions 4, Audacity, iTunes, Microsoft Office 2019 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher), Scratch 2 Offline Editor, VLC media player, and OverDrive for Windows.
Laptop dispensing kiosks are available at the following locations:
- Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library
- Brandon Regional Library
- Bruton Memorial Library
- C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library
- Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library
- Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library
- North Tampa Branch Library
- Riverview Public Library
- Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library
- Temple Terrace Public Library
- Town 'N Country Regional Public Library
- West Tampa Branch Library
Hotspots and GoPros
Wi-Fi hotspots and GoPros are available for checkout at select locations.
Printing and Photocopying
All public computers can print, and wireless printing is also available. Limited free printing or photocopying of 10 black and white or 5 color pages per day is provided.
Additional printing and photocopying in a given day cost $.05 per page for black and white and $.10 per page for color. Printing/photocopying is on single-sided 8.5" x 11" paper and the machines accept $1 and $5 bills and .05, .10, and .25 coins.
Wireless Printing
To receive limited free printing for wireless printing, log into a library computer once with your library card number. Free prints will be credited to your wireless print account within 24 hours. Then send your prints using your library card wirelessly.
Scanning
The printer/copiers are also capable of scanning documents as PDFs or JPGs and can only be saved directly to a USB drive, which you must provide. There is no charge for this service.
Faxing
Limited free faxing is provided as a courtesy for patrons at all Tampa-Hillsborough Public Libraries.
Faxes may only be sent to 813 and 656 area codes or to toll-free numbers. Faxes should be no more than 5 pages long, including a cover sheet. A maximum of five faxes per day, per person is allowed. The library does not accept any incoming faxes or replies.
Assistive Technology
A complete list of assistive technology and equipment at each location is available.
About the Public Wireless Network
The library utilizes Ruckus Wireless Zoneflex devices to connect to our public network; these devices are compatible with 802.11b & 802.11g standards. The security you enjoy on our public network will also protect your wireless connection. However, data transfers between your laptop or mobile device and the WAP are insecure. We suggest you install or implement the native firewall in Windows or another third party program to ensure secure communication and data transfer. The library bears no responsibility for presumed hacking or personal security breaches. Use of the wireless network is at your own risk.