How to and FAQ

There is no charge for booking and using a library computer. Pharos is used for managing the booking and for payments for printing and copying.

If a public computer is available, you can walk up and log in using your library card or a visitor slip. If all the computers are in use then you can log into a Pharos Station to reserve the next available computer. You can ask a staff member to help you make a booking.

For library members, there is no limit to the number of sessions you can have if computers remain available. Visitor slips are available to non-members and allow a maximum of 30 minutes a day computer use.

Computer sessions are for a maximum of 60 minutes for library members and 30 minutes for visitors. Some libraries have shorter session time options available. 

When you reserve a computer

• If you are more than five (5) minutes late for your session the computer becomes available for other customers.
• When your computer is available, your library card number will be displayed on the screen of that computer.
• Some locations will also have a queue screen showing you this information. You should check it to see when a computer is ready for you.

Warnings when your time is nearly done

While you are using the public computer, you will be given warnings when you have a short amount of time left:

• Ten minutes to go
• Two minutes to go.

If you are a library member, your computer session may automatically extend if no-one else is waiting to use the public computers. If the computers get busy, you will receive a two minute warning before your extended session ends.

Save your work

You must save your work before your session expires, or else it will be lost. Save online or to USB memory drives which are available to purchase at the library.

You will need a Pharos account to add yourself to the queue for a library computer. Once you have an account you can add yourself to the queue at a Pharos station in the library.

• You can only be on the queue for a computer at the library you are in. You may not add yourself to the queue at one library for another library.
• You may not add yourself to the queue in advance.
• You will have to complete your first queued session before you can add yourself to the queue again.

There is no charge for adding yourself to the queue and using a library computer - Pharos is just used for managing the queue and for payments for printing/copying.

Pharos queues at Tūranga

Because Tūranga has public computers available over five floors Pharos queues will work in the following way -

• You can log on to a Computer Reservation Station located on floors 1, 2, 3 or 4 with a Library Card or Visitor Pass to reserve a Free Internet computer.
• Pharos will reserve a computer on the floor you are on when making the reservation if one is currently available. If all the computers on your floor are in use then the system will find the next available computer on another floor.

He Hononga | Connection, Ground Level does not have computers that can be reserved as they are walk-up and may be used for a maximum of 15 minutes only.

Library computers for public use have an optical disk drive in the monitor stand (see image below).

VLC software is installed on library PCs and will play most DVDs or video files. CDs may be listened to using Windows Media Player.

Please note:

• Headphones or earbuds must be used. Earbuds are available for purchase.
• DVDs must be issued to a library card before viewing in the library.

See also

• How do I write a CD or DVD on a library computer?
• How do I use a USB flash drive or memory card on a library computer?
• What software is available on library computers?

NVDA – Non Visual Desktop Access. Free, open-source screen reader installed on our public computers. https://www.nvaccess.org/

Information for blind and visually impaired customers using our free internet computers

BYO Headphones

The internal speaker on our free internet computers are disabled therefore bring your own headphones that use a standard headphone jack.

To find the headphone jack run your hand down the left side of the computer screen. The headphone jack has a round finger size hole.

Use Narrator at the login screen

NVDA is not available until you have logged into the free internet computer. You can use Microsoft Narrator, the built-in Windows screen reader, at the login screen instead.

Narrator instructions     

• Keyboard shortcut Windows Control Enter turns Narrator on
• Narrator will switch off when you log into the desktop, you will need to press Windows Control Enter again to enable Narrator again

Starting NVDA

Use keyboard shortcut Windows S to Windows Search for the NVDA application

• Type nvda
• When NVDA is selected press enter to run it
• To quit Narrator use keyboard shortcut Windows Control Enter
• To quit NVDA use the keyboard shortcut Insert Q

Yes. Find out how in our page on maker spaces and 3D printing. The cost for a 3D print is 20 cents per gram of filament. 

Use our 3D printing form to submit an .stl file for printing.

A screenshot (also known as a screen capture, screen dump, or screen grab) is an image or snapshot of what is visible on a computer monitor or device. Screenshots are very handy for troubleshooting technical problems.

• Taking a screenshot on a Windows library computer
• Taking a screenshot on a Mac computer
• Taking a screenshot on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch
• Taking a screenshot on Android devices

Taking a screenshot on a Windows library computer

Option 1 - Using the PrtScn button

Use the PrtScn "PrintScreen" button, open Paint (or Paint.Net) and paste (Control P).

Option 2 - Using the Snipping tool

A shortcut to the snipping tool should be in the Windows All programs menu, or use Windows Search and search for Snipping.

• Click New and note the change in the screen - it will look more faded
• Use the mouse to select the section of the screen you wish to capture
• Letting go of the mouse will finish the capture.

Taking a screenshot on a Mac computer

Take a screenshot of your whole screen

1. Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 3 simultaneously.
2. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

Take a screenshot of part of your screen

1. Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4. The pointer changes to a crosshair pointer.
   
2. Move the crosshair pointer to where you want to start the screenshot.
3. Drag to select an area. While dragging, you can hold the Shift key, Option key, or Space bar to change the way the selection moves.
   
4. When you've selected the area you want, release your mouse or trackpad button. To cancel, press the Escape (esc) key before you release the button.
5. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

Take a screenshot of a window (NOTE: This works for most windows but not all)

1. Press Command(⌘) + Shift + 4. The pointer changes to a crosshair pointer.
   
2. Press the Space bar. The pointer changes to a camera pointer.
3. Move the camera pointer over a window to highlight it.
   
4. Click your mouse or trackpad. To cancel, press the Escape (esc) key before you click.
5. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

Take a screenshot of a menu

1. Click the menu to reveal its contents.
2. Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4. The pointer changes to a crosshair pointer.
   
3. Drag to select the menu. While dragging, you can hold the Shift key, Option key, or Space bar to change the way the selection moves.
   
4. Release your mouse or trackpad button. To cancel, press the Escape (esc) key before you release the button.
5. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

Take a screenshot of a menu without the title

1. Click the menu to reveal its contents.
2. Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4. The pointer changes to a crosshair pointer.
   
3. Press the Space bar. The pointer changes to a camera pointer.
4. Move the camera pointer over the menu to highlight it.
5. Click your mouse or trackpad. To cancel, press the Escape (esc) key before you click.
6. Find the screenshot as a .png file on your desktop.

Taking a screenshot on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch

1. Display whatever you want to snap on your screen.
2. Press and hold the “Sleep/Wake” button and the “Home” button at the same time. Once it’s done, you will hear a camera shutter.
3. Once a screenshot is captured, it will be automatically saved to your Camera Roll. You can find this by opening Albums>Camera Roll.
   NOTE: The Sleep/Wake button is on a different location on different devices. It is easiest to google the location for specific devices as needed. But it is usually on the right side, or on the top right corner of the device.Example:
   

Taking a screenshot on Android devices – Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) and after

NOTE: Screenshots can only be taken on Android 4.0 and above. Anything below this may be able to use this method, but it usually can’t. A third party app will need to be installed.
NOTE: Always ensure you have the app you wish to capture open on the screen.

There are three different methods to take a screenshot:

1. Open the power menu by quickly pressing the power button. Choose the screenshot option.
2. Hold down the volume keys and press the power button.
3. Press the power and home buttons at the same time.

The image will be saved in the Gallery app. Launch the Gallery app, tap on ‘Screenshots’ (it will be a named folder) and the latest screenshot will be the first on the list.
Depending on your phone model, either tapping your ‘options’ button (may be on either side of the home button, or tapping the   or the  symbol  at the top right corner of the gallery app will give you further options of what you can do with the screenshot you have taken. You can usually email it from here, which will email it via your email app. If there is no email app set up, this will not be able to send.

Example:

We have Mac Studio computers with a range of professional Audio/Visual software available in the Audio/Video Studio at Tūranga and the Auahatanga - Creative Space at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre

Please ask a staff member at the Library at Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre to log you in.

Our libraries also offer free access to library computers that use a Microsoft® operating system.

Library members should be able to access most of the eResources from anywhere on the internet by entering their library card number and password / PIN. However there are some known issues with accessing e-resources.

Browsers

Some websites in our e-resources may not work so well in some older web browsers. If at all possible keep your browser up to date as this is also important for the security of your computer.

JavaScript & Cookies

Check your web browser (internet Explorer, Chrome, FireFox etc) settings to ensure that you haven't disabled JavaScript or  web cookies as many e-resources require JavaScript and cookies in order to function.

Flash

Some websites in our e-resources require Adobe Flash player in order to work. If you are using an iOS device (iPad, iPod touch, iPhone) that cannot play Flash look to see if there is an app for that site.

Still having trouble?

If you are using your computer at home then please contact us or fill in the technical help form.

If you are using your computer at work, check with your IT department / person to see if you have any issues that may prevent connection. If you do, ask your IT person to email us at LibraryIT@ccc.govt.nz or fill in the technical help form.

There are several options for getting your images off you camera for editing & sharing them.

Please remember that if you save images to library computers they will be deleted when your session ends and you must save them somewhere else.

Option 1: Windows' Scanner and Camera Wizard

1. Attach the USB cable to the camera and then plug into the computer. The camera needs to be turned on to start communication between the two devices.
2. A dialogue box should appear: click on the camera icon to start the scanner and camera wizard.
3. Select the photos that you wish to download by clicking in the box.
4. NB: If you have not deleted photos previously captured on the camera these photos will appear selected. Use the “clear all” button and then only select any new photos to be downloaded.
5. Now click “Next”.
6. At this point the camera will ask you where you wish the files to be stored. On home computers the default location for photos is “My Pictures” but you can choose any folder you like by using the “Browse” button.
7. Once the file location has been selected, click on “Next”. The photos will now be copied onto the computer. Once this process is complete you have a number of options.
8. Unless you wish to print directly, choose “Nothing, I’m finished..” and click “Next”. Your photos will appear in the folder location you have chosen.

Option 2: access files via USB

1. Attach the USB cable to the camera and then plug into the computer. The camera needs to be turned on to start communication between the two devices.
2. To view the files on the camera go to the “Start” menu and select “My Computer”. The camera should appear as a removable disk.
3. Double click on the removable disk and then open the DCIM folder followed by the 101MSDCF folder.
4. This folder contains all of the photos stored on the camera. You can now “Copy and Paste” the photos over to “My pictures” or another folder on your computer. Don't “Cut and Paste” unless you want to remove them permanently from the camera's memory card.

Option 3: access files via memory card

1. If your camera has a memory card you can remove this and place it into the computer’s memory card slot.
2. To view the files on the memory card you must go to the “Start” menu and select “My Computer”. The memory card should appear as a removable disk.
3. Double click on the removable disk and then open the DCIM folder followed by the 101MSDCF folder.
4. This folder contains all of the photos stored on the camera. You can now “Copy and Paste” the photos over to “My Pictures” or another folder on your computer. Don't “Cut and Paste” unless you want to remove them permanently from the camera's memory card.

Some websites may have their own buttons for re-sizing text, often showing the letter A at two sizes, but if not most web browsers will increase the text size if you click Ctrl & + together, and Ctrl & - will make it smaller.

• This will increase the text size in most web sites and in some cases the images also.
• Resizing the text may effect how the page prints - use print preview to check and correct.

Older browsers

1. In Internet Explorer go to the View menu
2. Choose Text Size > Larger or Largest

In MS Office applications

To view your text larger without effecting its real or printable size follow these steps:

1. Go to the View menu
2. Select Zoom > 200% or set your zoom size to your preference

Yes we do. See the websites and games for fun and learning that we link to on the kids' computers at your local library. Children's computers are available at all of our branches except Diamond Harbour, Little River, Mobile Library, and Parklands.

Yes we do.

Find our more on our Games and Gaming page.

Once you have sent your print job(s) to the printer they enter a queue and will not be printed until your arrive at the printer to 'release' them. You may wish to 'lock' your computer before leaving it to print your items: press 'Windows + L' to lock the PC.

• If someone is using the printer to photocopy just wait, when they are finished you will be able to select your items and print them.
• If you change your mind about printing a particular item after submitting it you can delete it.
• Items not printed will simply be cleared after 24 hour hours and you will not be charged for them.

The decision as to whether to use the public computers or not is yours. Here is what we do to ensure the Christchurch City Libraries' network, computers and our users are protected.

Firewall

To prevent malicious activity our network is behind a firewall.

Proxy

The internet is filtered to block viruses (and offensive content), proxy anti-virus definitions are updated as required, as a minimum this happens daily.

Anti-virus

The public computers have desktop anti-virus software installed, anti-virus definitions are updated as required, usually daily, and internet traffic is scanned for viruses.

Frozen

The public computers are "frozen": any changes made to the computers are wiped when they are restarted. This includes browsing history, temporary files, cookies, anything saved to the hard drive of the computer, including My Documents, and any potentially harmful code is removed as soon as the computer restarts.

Approved programs are the only ones that can be used

It is not possible to install programs (software) on the public computers. Only the programs that we have approved and installed are allowed to run.

Windows Updates

Microsoft critical updates are run regularly on public computers and servers.

To change the language setting follow these steps.
Note: you need to have the cursor in a location you can type in before you can set the language settings.

1. Click on ENG, this is located near the bottom right of the screen on the task bar, next to the time and date, and start typing. Some languages may require you to click on additional settings once you have changed the keyboard language.

See Also

• Using Te Reo Māori on library computers

Zipping is used to reduce the file size and to easily transfer/email groups of related files. Zipped files may be opened and created on library computers.

Zipped files - Opening

In File Explorer double-click the zip files to view its contents.

Right-Click and select extract all to copy the zip file contents to another folder.

Zipped files - Creating

To create a zip file right-click the file(s) you wish to zip and select Send to compressed (zipped) folder.

Library staff will try to help you, but they are not trained in all programs. Talk to a library staff member if:

• you have printing issues;
• you have any questions about your Pharos account;
• you are unable to find your files on your USB drive, CD or memory card;
• a web site is blocked that you believe should not be.

Staff can provide assistance with:

• logging on;
• opening and saving files;
• some assistance with formatting Word documents;
• some assistance with creating an email account.

Reporting problems

If you experience technical problems with one of our public computers, talk to a library staff member or fill out our technical assistance form. If necessary, Library staff can report technical issues to the LibraryIT help desk team.

Te Reo Māori uses macrons over vowels to indicate vowel length. The following are installed on library computers to assist with using Te Reo:

• New Zealand Māori macron keyboard definition: examples of Māori macrons: Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū.
• Māori dictionary plug-ins for use with Microsoft Office and Open Office.

To insert a macron above a vowel, do the following:

1. Press and release the tilde ~ key (first key in the numbers row, top left on the keyboard + Shift);
2. Press the vowel key;
3. The vowel appears with a macron, for example ā.

Follow the steps below to save your files to a writeable CD or DVD.

1. Place a writable CD or DVD in the optical drive.
2. Open File Explorer.
3. Click on disk drive X: and select CD/DVD player (Please note: Once burnt you can’t edit or save any more data - saving to a USB may be a better option).
   
4.  Add a disk title, select CD/DVD option, and hit Next.
5. Wait until disk is prepared/formatted.
6. Copy files and save to the disk
7. Remove disk - May take a minute while this completes the task.

See also

• How do I use a USB flash drive or memory card on a library computer?
• How do I watch a DVD or listen to a CD on library computers?

To access your files on your USB flash drive or memory card

There are USB ports and a memory card port on the side of the public computer monitor.

Once you insert your drive or card File Explorer will open automatically or you can open File Explorer from the desktop menu.

Drive F: is the default drive letter your flash drive or memory card will usually be assigned.  

To safely remove your USB flash drive

• In the bottom right corner of the screen click on the USB Flash drive icon
• Select Eject (name of your device) 

• A message appears when it is safe to remove your device.

* If you don't have one you can purchase a USB flash drive at our libraries, just ask at the information desk.

While you can temporarily save documents that you are working on to a library computer it will be permanently deleted when the computer restarts at the end of the session.

To save your work:

• Email the file to your email address as an attachment if you have access to webmail, eg., gmail.com or outlook.com
• Save the file a USB flash - All library computers have USB ports to plug in a USB flash drive
• Save the file online to a web based file hosting service. Free options are available. You will need an email address to register with the hosting service
• Save to a SD memory card - All library computers have a SD memory card reader
• Save to a writeable CD or DVD - All library computers have an optical drive which can write to writeable CD or DVD disks.