Wi-Fi at the Library

Bring your Wi-Fi enabled laptop and tap into the free wireless access at our Main Library and Douglass Branch.

You’ll need a wireless network interface card (802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n) and the appropriate software already installed in your laptop or portable device. Just launch your browser, accept the library’s Internet Policy, and you’re online.

Basic Settings

Since each person’s computer can be different, you are responsible for knowing how to configure your equipment. Here are the basic settings you’ll need:

• Network name: Champaign Public Library
• Disable WEP encryption
• Mode/Network Type: Infrastructure Mode or Access Point (not ad hoc)
• TCP/IP properties: “Obtain an IP address automatically (DHCP)”

Plugging In

Need power? You’ll find outlets under the square power access doors in the floor at our Main Library, along with wall and study carrel locations. There are no outlets on our patio — but there is Wi-Fi!

Printing

To print, save your work to a flash drive, or e-mail your files to an online e-mail account, then print from one of the library’s public computers. You’ll need a library card (or computer guest card) number to use a library computer. Printing costs 10 cents per page, or $1 per page for color.

Limitations and Security

Our Wi-Fi service is not secure; please be aware of the risks. Even if firewalls are running on laptops, we recommend that sensitive information not be sent through our network. The library is not responsible for the safety of equipment or for laptop configurations, security, or data files resulting from connection to its wireless network. Review the library’s Internet Policy for details.

Other CU Wi-Fi Hotspots

Check out our handy list and map of other Wi-Fi hotspots in CU.

Library Computers

Our computers provide free access to the Internet, e-mail, word processing and other software, and online research tools. Computers are available for all ages at our Main Library and Douglass Branch.

Signing up for a computer

Self-service reservation stations let you reserve the next free computer, or reserve computer time up to a week in advance. You can also call us and we’ll make the reservation for you. Call the Information Desk at 217/403–2070. For the children’s department, call 217/403–2030, and for the Douglass Branch, call 217/403–2090.

A quiet computer room is available in the Main Library for use by one person per workstation, free of talking and cell phone use.

To help ensure access for everyone, computer time is limited to 1 hour per person per day. At the Main Library, in our adult and teen areas, you may have up to two 30-minute extensions, if the computer time is available.

Access card

Before you sit down at a library computer, you need a library card from Champaign or any nearby public library (those in the Lincoln Trail Libraries System). You need to enter your card number when you reserve a computer and when you log in.

We offer the option of a special card for computer access only. Just bring in a photo ID and something showing your current address and we can give you a computer guest card.

Bringing files and saving work

You can use CDs, DVDs, or USB drives to transport and save files with our computers.

Printing

You can print from any computer in the library. Printouts cost 10 cents per black and white page and $1 per color page.

Connecting a laptop

There are many places in the library to plug in a laptop for power. Look for the square outlet panels in the floor.

Internet use policy

See our Internet use policy in the policies section of this website.