Library Services

Photocopying

The library has a photocopy machine available to the public. Letter (8 1/2 x 11) and legal (8 1/2 x 14) size copies are 10 cents each. Ledger (11 x 17) copies are 20 cents. The machine can duplex, reduce, enlarge, sort and staple. In addition, this copier can make color copies. Color copies are 50 cents each for all sizes.

Personal Computing

There are 9 computers in the adult reference area for public use. They use the Windows XP operating system. To use the computers online you will be required to accept the terms of our Public Access Internet Policy. Software on the computers will start a timer. Patrons are allotted 90 minutes of Internet time per day. The timer starts at 60 minutes. If no one has reserved the computer you are using the system will automatically grant 10 minute time extensions up to 30 minutes for a total time of 90 minutes. There is a reservation station where you can reserve the next available computer if they are all in use or make a reservation for computer time up to 7 days in advance. One of the computers in the adult department is a 15 minute express computer. No reservations will be available for the 15 minute express computer.

The library has a laptop computer available for IN LIBRARY USE ONLY. This laptop can be checked out for a period of 4 hours and may be used for job searches, typing documents, taking tests, applying for jobs, filing income taxes, etc. This computer is not intended for playing games, sending/answering email, shopping or generally surfing the Internet.

Any library patron 18 years or older may use the library laptop. Patrons must have a valid library card that is not blocked by fines or fees. The laptop will be checked out on the library card. In addition, laptop users will be required to show identification (drivers license or state issued ID card) when checking out the laptop.

The library does not provide external storage media (floppy disks, CD's, flash drives.) Due to the fickle nature of computers it is strongly recommended that you bring something on which to save your document(s). Black and white laser printing is available. Color printing is handled with our color photocopier which is networked to all of the adult computers. Printing costs 10 cents per page for black and white, 50 cents per page for color. Software available on these computers includes :

• Web Browser software
• Microsoft Office XP including: Word, Excel and PowerPoint

The Georgia workstation is also connected to a flatbed scanner. Printing costs are 50 cents per page for color printing, 10 cents for black and white. Programs on this computer are:

• Microsoft Publisher 2002
• Microsoft Office XP
• PaintShop Pro 7
• Easy CD Creator
• Adobe Acrobat 5.0
• Filemaker Pro 5.0
• EPSON SmartScan

There are five Internet workstations in the youth department. This is FILTERED Internet access. Chat is unavailable at these workstations, however, email is available. Two of the Internet computers also have a variety of CD ROM computer games available. Youth need their library card barcode number and password to logon to the computers. Online time is 60 minutes per day per person but if no one is waiting for the computer, the system will automatically extend the time in 10 minute increments up to an additional 60 minutes. Please see our complete Internet Use Policy for details.

We offer access to several electronic reference tools from these machines, including these online:

• BadgerLink - magazine and newspaper articles.
• WISCAT - catalog of the public, academic, school and special libraries in Wisconsin.
• Ancestry.com (in library use only)

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Wi-Fi Access

The library has wireless access throughout the building. You do not need a password or access key to connect to the wireless network. There are electrical outlets for laptop plug-in under the tables in the adult reference area.

Computer Instruction

The Dwight Foster Public Library offers individual instruction on using computers for a variety of tasks. Some of the areas we cover include:

• Using the World Wide Web: What it is, what you need to know to use it, searching strategies, great sites, and evaluation of Web information. What sites are good for particular types of information? What information is available from the library’s Web site?
• Library Catalog: How can you get into your patron record? What information will you find there? How do you put a hold on an item? Searching techniques and tips.
• WISCAT: There is another new interface to the state-wide catalog of public and academic libraries. How does it work and what do you do when you find something you are interested in obtaining?
• EBSCOhost: What are the various magazine collections available? How to find magazine articles on a particular topic. How to find a particular article in a particular magazine. How to print the documents. Searching strategies.
• Ancestry.com: Genealogical database including census, vital records, military records, immigration records and much more.

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Fax Machine

The Library has a fax machine available for public use. The fax number is (920) 563-7774 and is available 24 hours a day. There is a $1.00 per page charge for sending or receiving a fax. Cover sheets are available.

Microfilm Reader/Printer

The Library has a microfilm reader/printer available to the public. The charge for printing is ten cents per page.

Large Print Reader

The Library has an Aladdin Personal Reader available to the public, donated by The Fort Atkinson Lions Club. This reader can magnify print and has a variety of settings making reading easier for those with vision problems. It works with magazines and newspapers as well as books.

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Meeting Rooms

NOTE: The meeting rooms listed below will not be available after March 1, 2010. While the library is in its temporary location at 790 W. Rockwell Avenue we will not have any meeting rooms available to the public. We apologize for this inconvenience.

The Library has two meeting rooms available: the Rogers Room and the Worcester Room. The Worcester Room has tables and chairs, seating approximately 40 people. The Rogers Room has just chairs available and seats about 85 people. The complete meeting room policy is available at the Library, but general guidelines are:

• The meeting rooms may be used for public gatherings of a civic, cultural or educational character.
• Library sponsored activities are given highest priority in the consideration of the use of these facilities.
• All meetings must be open to the public in accordance with the state of Wisconsin law when the law is relevant. No admission fee may be charged except for meetings sponsored by the library or a pre-approved educational group or institution for short term classes, training, institutes, discussion groups, and forums.
• The meeting rooms are available for use only during library hours.
• The meeting rooms are available free of charge.
• The person responsible for the meeting must sign in at the circulation desk before the meeting begins, obtain a meeting room checklist, and return this checklist to the front desk staff when the meeting is over.

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