Technology FAQs

  • General Questions

    No, we do not have fax machines at any of our locations.

    We do have scanners, which you can use to scan and email a document. Please see our Scanners FAQ for more information.

  • Computers

    Yes. Computer help is available in person and online.

    In-person Computer Help
    CyberNavigator tutors are available for one-on-one in-person sessions at specific CPL locations. If you need help on a computer or online but don’t know where to start, a CyberNavigator can help you learn:

    • Computer basics such as using a mouse and keyboard
    • How to set up and use email
    • Navigating online, including searches and security
    • Filling out online forms and applications
    • Creating documents in Microsoft Office or Google Docs
    • Finding and using eBooks and other digital content
    • Using Chicago DigitalLearn modules

    Sessions are available by appointment and can last up to an hour. View locations with CyberNavigators.

    Online Computer Help
    For online help, use Chicago DigitalLearn to find videos on computer skills like:

    • Email
    • Searching the internet
    • Online job searching and resume writing
    • Using Facebook and Skype

    Chicago DigitalLearn videos are also available in Spanish.

    Yes. Computers are available at CPL locations from the time a location opens until 10 minutes before the location closes.

    All CPL locations have computers with the Edge browser and Microsoft Office. Microsoft Office includes:

    • Word
    • Excel
    • PowerPoint
    • Publisher

    CPL computers also have:

    • Adobe Reader
    • 2D Graphic Design
      • Inkscape
      • Krita
    • 3D Graphic Software
      • Sculptris
      • Blender (can also create animations)
    • Photo Editing
      • Gimp
      • Paint.net
    • Audio/Video Creation and Editing
      • OpenShot
      • LMMS
    • Coding
      • Notepad++

    You may use up to two computer sessions a day. Sessions on most computers are one hour; sessions on “express” computers are 15 minutes. Computer sessions are available from the time a location opens until 10 minutes before the location closes. 

    We offer assistive technology for people with disabilities at all CPL locations.

    ADA Computer Workstations

    Each CPL location has two ADA computer workstations: one for adults and one for children. These workstations feature:

    • 24-inch monitor
    • Oversize keyboard
    • Trackball mouse
    • Wheelchair-accessible computer table

    All CPL computers have Windows 10 Ease of Access accessibility resources for vision, hearing, dexterity, mobility, focus and other related needs.

    Harold Washington Library Center

    Assistive Resources and Talking Book Center

    The Assistive Resources and Talking Book Center on the 5th floor of the Harold Washington Library Center has assistive technology resources for individuals who are blind, have low vision or physical disabilities that prevent them from performing tasks such as using a computer mouse. Visit the ARTBC page or call (312) 747-4001 for more information.

    Videophone Relay Service

    Harold Washington Library Center has a videophone with video relay service for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Deaf or hard of hearing individuals may use the videophone to place video relay calls to hearing people, who receive the calls on a standard phone. Calls are routed through an interpreting center, where an interpreter, fluent in ASL and spoken English or Spanish, appears on the device. The deaf and hard of hearing caller signs the message to the interpreter, and the interpreter relays the conversation between the two parties. Deaf or hard of hearing individuals can also use the videophone to call other deaf or hard of hearing individuals with a videophone.

    Other CPL Locations

    Magnifiers

    Telesensory magnifiers, which magnify written materials up to 45 times their original size, are available at:

    Videophone Relay Service

    Woodson Regional Library has a videophone with video relay service for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Deaf or hard of hearing individuals may use the videophone to place video relay calls to hearing people, who receive the calls on a standard phone. Calls are routed through an interpreting center, where an interpreter, fluent in ASL and spoken English or Spanish, appears on the device. The deaf and hard of hearing caller signs the message to the interpreter, and the interpreter relays the conversation between the two parties. Deaf or hard of hearing individuals can also use the videophone to call other deaf or hard of hearing individuals with a videophone.

    Yes, you may use your flash drive on our one-hour computers. No personal files will be saved on the hard drive.

    Flash drives may not be used on 15-minute express computers.

  • WiFi

    Yes. Print documents for pickup at any library location by uploading them or forwarding them as email attachments. 

    Printing at all CPL locations ends 10 minutes before closing. 

    All CPL locations offer free WiFi.

    Look for the network CPLWIFI on your device. No special settings, usernames or passwords are required.

    You’ll need to accept our terms of use to connect to the WiFi network.

    Yes, but we assume no responsibility for personal equipment plugged into our electrical outlets.

  • Scanners

    Once you've scanned a document or photograph, you can:

    • save it to a USB drive
    • email it to yourself or others
    • print it
    • upload it to a Google Drive account
    • download it to a smartphone using a URL embedded in a QR code

    Please note, printing at all CPL locations ends 15 minutes before closing. 

    Most CPL locations have scanners. See our list of all locations for up-to-date information.

    Please note, printing at all CPL locations ends 15 minutes before closing. 

    The following file types are supported:

    • PDF (including searchable PDF)
    • Microsoft Word
    • TIFF
    • JPEG

    It's free to scan a document and either save it to a USB drive or email it.

    Black and white printing of a scanned document costs 15 cents for each single-sided page. Double-sided and color printing is not available from the scanners.

  • Printers and Copiers

    Yes. Print documents for pickup at any library location by uploading them or forwarding them as email attachments. 

    Printing at all CPL locations ends 10 minutes before closing. 

    The Copy Center at Harold Washington Library Center has closed.

    Please see our Scanners FAQ for information about using scanners to print, save or email documents at Harold Washington Library Center and other CPL locations.

    One-sided prints are 15 cents; two-sided prints are 25 cents. The first $1.50 in printing each day is free.

    Color printing is not available.

  • Internet to Go WiFi Lending

    You can borrow a WiFi hotspot or a Google Chromebook Kit, which includes a WiFi hotspot and a Chromebook, from CPL through our Internet to Go program.

    A WiFi hotspot is a device you can use to connect a mobile-enabled device, such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet, to the internet.

    A Chromebook is a lightweight laptop that runs Google’s Chrome operating system. It must be connected to the internet for you to access its features, which are all web-based. The WiFi hotspot connects the Chromebook to the internet.

    The hotspot is portable, so you can connect your device almost wherever you are, like at home, on the bus or in the park.

    The hotspot works in any area covered by the Sprint 3G or 4G LTE network.

    If you’re a CPL cardholder and a resident of Chicago 14 years or older, you can check out a WiFi hotspot or a Chromebook Kit. A valid photo ID is required to check out a Chromebook Kit.

    WiFi Hotspots

    WiFi hotspots are available for checkout or holds at the following locations. To place a hold on a WiFi hotspot, your pickup location must be a location that carries hotspots.

    Chromebook Kits

    View Chromebook Kit availability.

    You can borrow a WiFi hotspot or a Chromebook Kit for three weeks. A hotspot or kit will be automatically renewed up to 15 times if no one else has placed it on hold. Or you may renew the hotspot or kit yourself up to 15 times.

    A WiFi hotspot or a Chromebook Kit must be returned to the circulation desk of the CPL location where it was checked out. They may not be returned to bookdrops or other CPL locations.

    WiFi Hotspots

    A WiFi hotspot will be turned off and wireless service will be terminated if the hotspot is not returned on the due date.

    If the hotspot is lost, please contact the location where you checked it out immediately. The replacement fee is the market value cost CPL will be charged to replace the hotspot. Cost as of October 2019 is approximately $100.

    Chromebook Kits

    The Chromebook will be turned off and wireless service will be terminated if the kit is not returned on the due date.

    If the Chromebook Kit is lost, please contact the location where you checked it out immediately. The replacement fee is the market value cost CPL will be charged to replace the kit. Cost as of October 2019 is approximately $350.

  • Computer Help

    Yes. Computer help is available in person and online.

    In-person Computer Help
    CyberNavigator tutors are available for one-on-one in-person sessions at specific CPL locations. If you need help on a computer or online but don’t know where to start, a CyberNavigator can help you learn:

    • Computer basics such as using a mouse and keyboard
    • How to set up and use email
    • Navigating online, including searches and security
    • Filling out online forms and applications
    • Creating documents in Microsoft Office or Google Docs
    • Finding and using eBooks and other digital content
    • Using Chicago DigitalLearn modules

    Sessions are available by appointment and can last up to an hour. View locations with CyberNavigators.

    Online Computer Help
    For online help, use Chicago DigitalLearn to find videos on computer skills like:

    • Email
    • Searching the internet
    • Online job searching and resume writing
    • Using Facebook and Skype

    Chicago DigitalLearn videos are also available in Spanish.