Portland Library
20 Freestone Avenue
Portland, CT  06480
860-342-6770

 

Computer Services

24/7 Audio Book Download Service: 
Listening to Books Just Got Easier

Portland Library cardholders can download talking books for free. Twenty-three libraries, in collaboration with Library Connection, launched a digital audio book site that allows their patrons to checkout and download audio books from home.
The collection features popular fiction from Nora Roberts, Margaret Atwood, and Michael Crichton; BBC radio programs, such as Hitchhiker's
Guide to the Galaxy
; and audio book versions of blockbuster movies such as King Kong and
Sideways.  The downloadable audio book
collection also includes business, biography,
self-improvement, foreign language learning,
and other non-fiction genres.
The audio books can be downloaded to Windows® PCs and laptops, Pocket PCs, and can be transferred to WMA/MP3 players.  Many of the titles may also be burned to CD for listening in the car and on CD players.  To check out materials, patrons browse the collection, select a title, and then enter a valid library card number to download the digital book.  If a
title is not immediately available, users can place a hold and will receive an email notification when it is ready for checkout.  After 14 days, the digital audio books are automatically returned to the system and
made available to others. The collection also
includes 100 "Always Available" titles from
Blackstone Audiobooks.  This group of titles allows
an unlimited number of patrons to check out a book at the same time.  With no waiting lists or holds for these titles, there is always a book to check out.  The Library Connection Downloadable Audio Book Catalog can be accessed by visiting the Portland
Library's homepage
http://www.portlandlibraryct.org and clicking on the link or by going directly to http://libraryconnection.lib.overdrive.com.
 


Internet Workstations

The Library has eight workstations available.  Six are available for unrestricted use, one is filtered in the Children's area, and the Information Access workstation is assigned by the staff for research.  These stations may be reserved in advance either in person or by telephoning the Library.  Use is limited to one half hour if others are waiting.


Wireless Service

Portland Library is a Wi-Fi Hot Spot!  Library patrons can experience free wireless Internet access using their own laptop computers equipped with wireless cards just about anywhere in the building.

There are times of the day when all the hard-wired public computers are in use, and the wireless allows an extension of Internet service that would otherwise not be available. Most standard wireless devices will connect automatically to the wireless network.

Wireless Policy

Using Wireless Internet Access at Portland Library
The library provides wireless access for users with their own laptop computers equipped with wireless network cards meeting the WiFi standard IEEE 802.11b or 802.11g. 

How to access the wireless network:
IMPORTANT:
   You may need to change you network settings in order to access this wireless network. Make sure you write down and save your current settings BEFORE  you change them, should you want to return your laptop to its default settings.  These changes may affect your ability to access the internet in another setting (home or office).  Library staff cannot assist you in making changes to your network settings.  If you are not comfortable making these changes yourself or need assistance, please do not try to use this service.
Our wireless network is called “PPLWireless”.  It is set to broadcast its SSID.  If your network card is set to automatically connect to any available network, your laptop should see this network and connect.
If your laptop is not set to automatically connect to any available networks or if your laptop is not set to see this network, open up the wireless connection and highlight “PPLWireless.”
To access the internet, your wireless connection needs to be set to obtain an IP address automatically and obtain DNS Server address automatically.  If your home or office internet connection uses settings different from these, you will need to change them.  These settings are found in the Network Control Panel in Windows 98/ME/2000/XP, in the TCP/IP Control Panel in Mac OS 9 or earlier, and in the Network Control Panel of the System Preferences in Mac OS X*.
The Internet is a public communications network, which means that there can be untrustworthy parties between you and anybody you communicate with.  WiFi poses the same risks to your personal information that a wired network poses, as well as some new risks.  WiFi users need to educate themselves about these risks and take steps to secure their personal information.  Cautious and informed WiFi users should choose not to transmit their credit card information and passwords while using any WiFi “HOT SPOT.”  As with most public wireless “HOT SPOTS,” this connection is not secure.  Potentially any information being sent or received could be intercepted by another wireless user.  Please take appropriate precautions when using this service.  The library will not be responsible for any information, hardware, or software that is compromised.
The Library does not provide e-mail services via the wireless connection.
Printers are not available via the wireless connection.  If you need to print, save to a floppy disk and signup at the Information desk to use one of the public workstations to print.


Word Processing   

Word processing workstations are available.  Microsoft Office software packages are available at each station.  These stations may be reserved in advance in person or by telephoning the Library.  Use is limited to a one hour segment if others are waiting.


Public Access Catalogs

Catalogs are available throughout the Library.  Not only is the Library's catalog available, but also many reference tools are attached including magazine indexes and an encyclopedia.


Computer Training Request

Available training: 
the Catalog
our Electronic Databases
Internet
Microsoft Word
Audio Books

Most lessons are scheduled on Saturdays from 9:15 – 10:00 am.  Please ask for more details at the Information Desk.  Thank you. 

Last updated:  05/07/2008