Frequently Asked Questions
Computing Services
What computers are available in the library?
There are 45 Internet-ready computers available in the Research and Instruction Support area on the first floor, west wing of the library. 14 of these are available to the general public. Several other catalog lookup stations and research terminals are placed throughout the library. The American Geographical Society Library, for example, has machines with GIS software available for use, and the Current Periodicals and Microforms computers are equipped with film and flatbed scanners.
Computers in the Research and Instruction Support area include a Web browser and Microsoft Office software. They allow you to save and open files to floppy disks, writeable CDs, and USB flash drives.
Library workstations are primarily to be used for library-related reference and research purposes only. Those with an ePanther account can use the campus computing lab on the second floor, east wing of the library.
The UWM University Informaiton Technology Services (UITS) Department administers the campus computer labs, including the one in the library building.
Headphones are available for checkout at the Information Desk and the Music Library.
Scanners are available in the computer lab and Current Periodicals area. Copiers may also be used to scan materials (more information).
Can I use my laptop in the library?
Yes. In the Golda Meir Library building, there are tables and outlets for laptop computers in the lower level hallway (the area that connects the East and West wings). UWM-affiliated users with an ePanther ID can also use the Ethernet jacks in the same area to connect to the Internet. The first time you use a computer on campus, follow the instructions below:
- Set your computer to get it's IP address from a DHCP server.
- Open a Web browser. You should automatically be sent to a registration page. Enter your ePanther ID and password to register your hardware with our campus network.
- After completing the registration process, turn off the laptop, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. You should now have normal Internet access on any of the public Ethernet jacks on campus.
Other public jacks on campus are available in the EMS building, Bolton Hall (2nd floor outside the computer lab) and the Union (Terrace Cafe, study rooms, and food court areas).
Is wireless Internet access available in the library?
Yes, wireless access is available in most public areas of the library building. The exact locations are:
- Lower Level West outside of compact shelving west (WB42)
- Walkway between Lower Level East and West
- Lower Level East study area to the left as you walk into the East Wing
- First Floor, West Wing - Research & Instructional Support Reference Room
- First Floor,West Wing - Study lounge near Circulation
- First Floor, East Wing - Coffee Shop, Gathering Place @your library & Reserve study area
- Second Floor, Wst Wing - Art & Architecture (N call number) area
- Second Floor, West Wng - W205 large study area to the west of the main stairs
- Second Floor Bridge and East Wing - Music and Curriculum Libraries
- Third Floor, West Wing - W305 large study area to the west of the main stairs
- Third Floor Bridge and East Wing - AGS Library
- All of the Fourth Floor
You must register with your ePanther ID to access hotspots. For more information, see PROWLnet.
The UWM campus currently has no wireless access areas to the general public. The City of Milwaukee provides free wireless connections at some of its parks. See Milwaukee Free WiFi Network User Instructions for more information.
What's this I hear about laptop checkouts?
50 wireless laptop computers are now available for checkout by current UWM students with active UWM IDs. Laptops are available from the Multimedia Library, located on the first floor, East Wing. For more information, see UWM Libraries Wireless Laptop Program page.
Are there printers in the library?
There are 3 computer printers available to the general public in the Research and Instruction Support area on the first floor, west wing of the library. Printers are also available for UWM people in the computer lab on the second floor, east wing of the library.
The cost of printing is $.06 per double-sided page. For more information about PantherPrint see www.pantherprint.uwm.edu.
Anyone wishing to print in the library must use a copy card. These cards can be purchased for $1.00 from vending machines in the lobbies of the east and west wings of the library. University departments may also order copy cards through UITS Print & Copy Services.
There is no color printer in the library. However a color printer ($.50 per page) and a 36-inch-wide color plotter ($0.50 per running inch) are available in the Lubar N234 campus computer lab. Additionally, large format color printing is available to students for projects which are course or research related at no cost through Visual Design Services.
What software does the library offer?
Several software programs are available for use on the computers in the campus computing lab, located on the second floor, East Wing of the library. A complete list of these programs is available on the Campus Computer Labs page.
Copies of the UITS Student Resource CD -- which contains a variety of free software plus a free dial-up connection to the Internet -- are available at all Campus Computer Labs (including the library lab on the second floor, east wing), Reserve Services (library first floor, east wing), and the Information Desk (library first floor, west wing).
Several programs may also be downloaded freely online, including Acrobat Reader, Firefox, and Spybot. Google Pack features other free titles. Additional software may be ordered via the Student Software Discounts program offered by UITS.
For information on using EndNote, see the Power Tools page.
Question #10
True or False: The general public can use library research computers for free.