Computers & Technology FAQs

  • General Questions

    To attend a Zoom program you must first install Zoom on your computer, laptop, or mobile phone from https://zoom.us/. You will typically receive an email from the library with the Zoom link 24 hours before the program starts, though see individual event descriptions for exceptions. Once the program starts, click on the link provided to join the program. Some programs require microphone or camera access in order to participate.

    Yes! You will need to bring your own device and headphones. We have Wi-Fi and 17 first-come, first-serve study rooms in our eastern wing. The study booths in the Children’s section and Teen space are also excellent locations to conduct a Zoom meeting. Please use your headphones and keep your voice to a moderate conversation level.

    When in doubt, check the noise zone map to make sure you are in an area that is ok. Learn more about the zones here.

    Databases and online resources can be found through the catalog or on the Research & Learn page. There is blue button at the top the page that links to an A-Z listing of all databases and online resources available to you through CPL. Lower down there are also links to groups of resources for particular areas of interest.

    To learn more about CPL's online resources, please see this post.

  • Computers

    CPL has multiple areas with computers for public use. A library card is not required.

    Public computers are filtered per Michigan State law. Please note:

    • The six computers in WebExpress marked with green tape across the top of the monitor are restricted to 18-years-and-older by law because they provide unfiltered web access.
    • Public computers will only store your working files until the end of the day. Be sure to save your files to a USB flash drive or web storage.

    Free Wi-Fi,  electrical outlets, and USB charging outlets are also available throughout the building. Three stations with spare monitors, HDMI cords, and multiple outlets (for use like docking stations) are available for use in the Teen Space.

    Internet connections provided by the library are unsecured and unencrypted; use at your own risk.

    Use of our Wi-Fi or public computers implies your acceptance of the Acceptable Use provisions of our Computing Resources Policy when you connect to the cpl network.

    The software on computers available for public use includes:

    • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Publisher)
    • Photo Editor
    • Windows Media Player
    • Internet Browsers (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge)
    • Adobe Reader
    • VLC Media Player

    Computers DO NOT have a camera or a microphone.

  • Wi-Fi

    Free Wireless Internet Access (Wi-Fi) is available at the library. There's no time limit or password for connection. Using your computer's network utilities, look for the Wi-Fi network named "cpl".

    Use of our Wi-Fi implies your acceptance of the Acceptable Use provisions of our Computing Resources Policy. Internet connections provided by the library are unsecured and unencrypted; use at your own risk.

    Access to our wireless network is available from our parking lot from 7:45 AM until 11:00 PM. The best parking spots for Wi-Fi coverage are near the northwest corner of the library building (closest to the west drive and the children's study booth area).

  • Copiers, Printers, and Fax

    There are five multifunction printers available at the library, two in the Self Service Center near the self-checkout stations, one by WebExpress, one in the Teen Space and one in the Children's Library. You can use these machines to scan, fax, print or copy documents. Need help? We are happy to assist.

    There's no charge for scanning or faxing, but to print or copy, we recommend purchasing a copy card. A reusable copy card costs $1 and starts out with $.50 of credit. You can recharge the card with $1 bills. Payment in lieu of a copy card is also accepted at each service desk.

    • Black and white printing and copies cost $.10 per side, or $.20 for a double-sided page.
    • Color printing and copies cost $.50 per side.
    • The cost is the same for letter (8.5 x 11) and legal size (8.5 x 14) print outs and copies

    You can also print wirelessly from your own device. Click this link to find out how.

    You can send a fax to anywhere in the U.S. for free from the copiers in the Self Service Center, which can be found to the right of the Check Out Desk as you enter the library. Here's a helpful video or find step by step instructions in this post.

    Black and white printing and copies cost $.10 per side, or $.20 for a double-sided page.

    Color printing and copies cost $.50 per side.

    The cost is the same for letter (8.5 x 11) and legal size (8.5 x 14) print outs and copies.

    A copy card is recommended for printing and copying. The reusable card costs $1.00 and has $.50 of credit to start out. You can recharge the card with $1, $5, $10 or $20 bills. Direct payment in lieu of a copy card is also accepted at each service desk.

    Use our wireless printing service to print while using your laptop or mobile device from anywhere, in or outside of the library. Your print job will stay in the queue until the close of business the day it is sent. Use a copy card to release your print request at any of our five high-quality printers.