Computer and Internet Use

All you need is your Southampton City Library card and PIN to take advantage of two hours free use per day. If you don’t have a card, visit your local library with ID showing your name and address e.g. bank statement/driving licence or apply online and a card will be posted to you.

At a computer type your library card number and PIN into the spaces provided. Your card number usually begins with a B (or T if you have a temporary Internet ticket) followed by zero’s, not letter Os. If you have a Smartcities card enter the account number. Staff will be happy to help you get started.

Once logged on you will be asked to accept the 'terms and conditions for computer use in libraries' Please read this information carefully and if you agree click I accept A copy of the terms and conditions is available under the 'downloadable documents' section of this page.

Any work should be saved on a portable saving device such as a USB memory stick, CD recordable disc or a personal online storage area that accompanies some email accounts.

Please note - Any work saved on the computer and not on a portable saving device or part of a storage facility will be lost when your session finishes and you log out.

USB memory sticks can be purchased from the library or you can bring your own.

For more information on how to save a document, please see the computer users guide below

In most libraries printing and photocopying facilities are combined in the same self-service machine, with a coin box attached to make payments. You will need to use the correct money as the machines do not give change. If you require any change, please ask a member of staff.

To obtain your printout you will require a 3-digit jobcode which the computer will generate when you send your document to the printer. The Jobcode is the only way to access your print job, so please make a note of it. For instructions on how to print a document, please see the computer user guide below.

Printing and photocopying charges
A4 Black and White 10p per side
A4 Colour 50p per side

A3 Black and White 20p per side
A3 Colour £1.00 per side

If children are using the computers to type up homework or a school project, they will not be charged for any subsequent printouts. Children requiring free printouts should ask a member of staff.

To ensure fairness to other users, once you have used up your two hours, extra time will only be allowed in certain circumstances e.g. the possibility of losing work such as a CV/job application. Staff can extend your session to enable you to complete or save your work. Please give staff advanced notice if you require a time extension.

Computers can be booked in advance at the Central library only using the bookings computer on the ground floor near the printer/photocopier.

Access to Wi-Fi via internet enabled laptop or other portable device is only available at the Central Library. It is free to connect once you have set up an account with The Cloud (the Wi-Fi provider). You will be prompted to do this the first time you try to connect. Complete your details, create a username and password and enjoy unlimited access at Wi-Fi hotspots across the library including the ground floor and 1st Floor quiet zone.

At Central, Shirley, Bitterne, Portswood, and Lordshill documents can be scanned to a computer or direct to a memory stick.

At Burgess Road documents can be scanned direct to a memory stick but not a computer

Please ask a member of staff if you require this service.

Currently there are no scanning facilities at Woolston, Cobbett Road, Thornhill, Millbrook and Weston libraries

Scanning charges
£1 for up to 10 pages in a single scan
£1 per page if multiple scans required

• Computers will automatically shut down 15 minutes before a library is due to close. Documents sent to the printer before shut down can still be printed until the library closes.
  
• Always remember to click the 'end session' button when you are finished to ensure you are logged out and other users do not use up your time.
  
• If you need a comfort break, click the pause button and enter your library card number. This will secure the PC until your return.
  
• Do not let others use your library card and PIN.
  
• We do not provide headphones but you can bring your own.