Computer Reservations/Free Internet
FAQs
Do all DPL libraries have free Internet access?
Yes. Please check our hours of operation for your preferred DPL branch location.
Do I need to reserve a computer?
Yes, if there are no computers available.
How do I make a reservation?
Reservations are available for the current day only. Come to the Denver Public Library and place your reservation from the reservation terminal or ask a library staff member to place a reservation for you. You may reserve a terminal over the phone prior to coming in by phoning the library branch location where you plan to use the computer.
You will need a Denver Public Library Card to place a reservation. To obtain a card, you will need your photo I. D. and proof of your current address. Remember to bring your card or the library card number to the library, as you will need that exact number to log into the system when you arrive.
I don’t have a library card. May I access the Internet at DPL?
Yes. We have guest passes available for those customers without a library card.
May I make reservations on any library computer?
You may make a reservation on a reservation terminal or ask a staff member to do it for you. You may also walk up to a terminal that is not in use or reserved and log in with your library card.
How much time do I get each day?
Each customer is given 120 minutes per day.
What if I need more time?
In many locations, customer demand greatly exceeds the capacity of this limited resource. By having a consistent limit, every person has the same opportunity to use the Library’s computers.
Much like the limits we place on borrowing materials, the Library must implement reasonable time restrictions.
May I combine 60 and 30-minute sessions to equal my 120 minute maximum?
Yes, you may combine sessions in one of the following of ways on any given day:
- two 60 minute sessions
- one 60 minute + two 30 minute sessions
- four 30 minute sessions on any given day.
Does the software track by the minute?
Yes. While the computers are designated as either 60-minute or 30-minute sessions, the tracking for each day is down to the minute. If you close a session early, your total time for that day is only reduced by the time you used. For example, if you end your first 60- minute session at 45 minutes, you will have a total of 75 minutes left for the day.
How will I know how many minutes I have left for the day?
When logging into a computer, a screen will display telling you how many minutes remain of your daily total allotment.
What if I have an odd number of minutes remaining?
If your remaining minutes are less than the maximum time allowed on a particular computer, your session will be as long as the time you have remaining. For example, if you log onto a 60-minute computer and only have 11 minutes remaining for the day, the duration of your session will be 11 minutes.
What if I am working on an important project or doing legitimate research?
Our policy is to make information and resources available without making distinctions about the value or purpose of a customer’s computer time. Whether you are doing research, checking e-mail or playing a computer game, all customers are allowed the same amount of computer time.
What if I see someone staying on a computer for more than 120 minutes?
Please bring this to the attention of a staff member.
What if I make a reservation and I don’t show up or show up late?
If you do not show up at the library and log in within the first 10 minutes of your reserved time, your session will be cancelled automatically and you will lose 10 minutes of your daily total of 120 minutes.
If you know ahead of time that you will not be using your reserved computer, you may cancel your reservation at the reservation terminal or ask a staff member to cancel it for you. If you called to make a reservation, you may call the branch back and ask them to cancel it for you.
How will I know if my session is over?
The computer will have a ticking clock for you to watch during your computer session. You will also be given warnings 10 minutes, 6 minutes, and 3 minutes before your session ends to allow you time to save your work or wrap up your computer transactions.
What happens if I need to leave my computer workstation briefly or do not enter information for a few minutes?
If you need to leave your computer briefly, you can lock the computer then unlock it before your session expires.
If you have not pressed a key on the keyboard for a ten-minute period, a message will alert you to press a key. If you do not press a key within 15 seconds, the software will end your session.
Will the library keep records of my computer use?
No. It is the Denver Public Library's practice to minimize the retention of customer use records to only those absolutely necessary for library use. When you close your computer session, all history, cache, and cookies are deleted. We will not be able to retrieve any information, including web sites you visited, passwords you entered, or other information you input. At the end of the business day, all user ids are purged. Therefore, at the end of the day we will not have any record that you used a computer at all.
Denver Public Library Online ©
Updated: July 01, 2008
