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Internet Access
Through the generous support of the nonprofit corporation, Austin Free-Net, grants from the Texas Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, and the citizens of Austin, the Austin Public Library provides free access to the Internet at every location. All Internet users must understand and agree to comply with all the conditions of the Austin Public Library's Acceptable Use Policy for Public Use Workstations. Some branches have as few as four workstations while others have as many as 25. The Faulk Central Library has 30 workstations. The Faulk Central Library and nine branch libraries also have Dell Wired for Youth computer centers for youth eight to eighteen years old.

To use an Internet workstation, customers must show a Library Card or photo ID to the staff at the circulation desk in any branch or to the staff at the second floor desk in the Faulk Central Library. The staff will register a LOGON ID for customers to use every time they use an Austin Public Library Internet computer. Customers may sign in for 30 minutes of use at a time at most locations. Session limits vary from location to location according to the general demand for workstations there. Faulk Central allows one hour. Each user is given 120 minutes of computer use per day system-wide.

Each workstation has been set up with Microsoft Office 2003 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 and the plug-in software listed below:

• Windows XP
• Windows Media Player 10
• Microsoft Office 2003
• Visio 2003 Viewer
• CyberLink PowerDVD 5.9.2806
• Apple Quick Time player 7.1
• RealPlayer 10.5
• Adobe Reader 7.0.8
• Adobe Flash Player 9.0.16.0
• Adobe Shockwave 10.1.3.018
• Adobe SVG Viewer 3.03
• Sun Java 1.5.0_08-b03
• Google SketchUp 5.0.295
• Google Earth version 3
• Ancestry Image Viewer
• ESRI ArcExplorer Windows Edition Version 2.0.800
• ExpressView Browser Plug-in (MrSID) Release: 08-2006
• Freedom Scientific Jaws Version 7.10

Files may be accessed only through applications already installed on Library computers. Flash drives, cds, and diskettes are allowed.

Printers are networked to the workstations allowing the user to print out Web pages and other documents as needed. The fee is 20 cents per page for each black and white print. Color prints are $1.00 per page. Color printers are available at the Faulk Central Library, Little Walnut Creek Branch, Ruiz Branch, and St. John Branch.

SurfControl Web Filter software is installed on most of the workstations. An unfiltered workstation is available for adults 17 years or older in most locations. To use an unfiltered workstation, customers must be prepared to show a photo ID that includes their birth date.

The Austin Public Library also offers free wireless Internet access at every location. To use the wireless service, users need to install an 802.11b-compliant wireless networking card in their laptop or PDA and bring it to any library location.

For more information about accessing the Internet at the Library, customers should call the Library location they plan to use.

Additional Places in Austin that Offer Free Internet Access

• Austin Free-Net Public Access Locations
  See a map with hours of operation for Free-Net locations. Most of the locations offer access for special populations only. Please contact the location before visiting.
  
• Schlotzsky’s Delis offer Cool Deli™ Internet stations as well as free wireless access.
• University of Texas Libraries allow guest access to computers. Users must present a valid government-issued photo ID to request temporary access. Please see the Computer and Network Use Policy for details.

Free Classes

• Austin Free-Net classes
• Austin Public Library classes
• Austin Groups for the Elderly's SeniorNet Classes

Related Links

• Wireless @ APL
• Reference links suggested by our staff
• The Austin Free-Net at the Austin Public Library home page for the public access computers
• Austin Free-Net Web site