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Computer Services
Computer Access for the Public
The Main Library has computers available to the public on the lower level, the first floor,
and in the Children's Room. The Internet Policy for the
Library's adult computers is available online. Some Internet functions, such as Telnet and IRC, may be
unavailable. The Library cannot guarantee successful connections to the Internet.
The following rules apply to the computers on the
lower level of the Main Library:
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Two hours A patron may reserve a computer once a day for a session
lasting up to two hours.
- Library Card required To use a computer, New Haven residents must
have a valid New Haven library card. New Haven residents must apply for a library
card before using our computers.
- Other Connecticut ResidentsCT residents must obtain a library card from their
hometown library and visit our circulation desk to input their card's barcode into our
computer database.
- Out-of-State Visitors Out of state visitors must present a valid,
out-of-state photo ID or passport to obtain a guest card which must be returned
once the visitor has finished the computer session.
- Children and Young AdultsChildren under 13 may use the computer outside of the
children's room only when accompanied by an adult with a valid library card. Parents or guardians
of children under 18 are responsible for their children's use of the computer.
- Save your work often Save your work to a disk every 10-15 minutes.
Unsaved documents cannot be retrieved when computers freeze, log off, or reboot.
- Not allowedNo more than two people may use and computer terminal at one time.
Inappropriate use (hacking, use of another patron's card, offensive or illegal content, for example)
of the library's computers results in one warning and removal of privileges on the second offense.
Eating, drinking and using cell phones are not permitted. Connecting headphones to the computer
is not permitted.
- Basic computer skills needed Computer users must have basic
computer skills. If time permits, first-time users of the Internet will be given
introductory assistance.
- Downloading from the Internet To download material from the Internet,
users must use their own storage medium (disk, USB keycard, etc.) A formatted
3.5" disk can be purchased at our circulation desk. The library does not guarantee
successful downloading.
- Gates Lab The Gates Lab is not always available for use due to
training and computer classes.
Programs and other general information
Several personal computers are available for public use on the
Lower Level of the Main Library. Presently, the following programs are
available:
- Several Windows computers with Microsoft Office
(Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, Publisher), the Encarta encyclopedia, and Internet access.
- 2 Macintosh computers with word processing software.
- 1 computer with the Mavis Beacon typing tutor.
- A Gates Lab
training facility with 11 (1 teaching and 10 pupil computers).
The computers are available during the hours the Library
is open, on a reserve or walk-in basis. Users may reserve
two hours of use and may make one reservation per day.
Telephone reservations are no longer accepted.
Most computers are connected to a printer.
Paper is provided by the Library and printing costs
fifteen cents per page.
Electric typewriters are also available on the Lower
Level.
The Library does not guarantee availability of computers
or programs.
Databases / Internet Resources
Librarians provide assistance with searching databases and
with printing or downloading search results. Call 946-8130
ext. 101 for help with a database.
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iCONN Databases
iCONN is a collection of databases provided by the State of
Connecticut. It is especially useful for finding articles from popular
magazines, professional journals, and newspapers on a wide range of
subjects. Outside the Library, you can log in to iCONN over the
Internet using any Connecticut public library card. Databases include:
- InfoTrac, which provides full-text magazine and
journal articles.
- Business and Company Resource Center.
- Health and Wellness Resource Center, which includes
a collection of full-text articles,
a drug and herb finder, and a medical encyclopedia.
Note: Use this alternative iCONN link to choose and
search multiple iCONN databases at the same time.
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ReQuest
A state-wide catalog of books and other material owned by Connecticut libraries.
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Health Databases (Consumer Health Information Network)
The Consumer Health Information Network provides medical books, databases,
and reference services to members of the public free of charge. Databases include
Health and Wellness Resource Center (iCONN), Natural Medicines Comprehensive
Database, and Well-Connected. The Network is a collaborative project between the
New Haven Free Public Library and the Cushing / Whitney Medical Library,
Yale University, with funding provided by a grant from the National Network of
Libraries of Medicine.
- African American Experience
Whether you are searching for historical information on Black Migration or trying to locate a contemporary jazz piece, the library's new on-line database-African American Experience-is your source! With WPA slave narratives, music clips, texts, articles, photographs, maps and other documents, the black experience from African origins to the present is brought to life! You may access this database at the library, or from your home or office using your New Haven Free Public Library card.
- Latino American Experience
The Latino American Experience is a full-text, multimedia database with both English and Spanish content focusing on individuals of Hispanic origins living in the Americas from pre-Columbian times until the present day. The database contains a core set of electronic reference books, images, primary documents, and links to select Web sites. You may access this database at the library, or from your home or office using your New Haven Free Public Library card.
- American Indian Experience
The American Indian Experience offers access to an online library featuring more than 150 volumes of reference content, hundreds of primary documents and thousands of images, including treaties, speeches, traditional tales, and a wealth of maps and photographs. You may access this database at the library or from your home, using your New Haven Free Public Library card.
- Oxford African American Studies Center
This database includes the complete texts of Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience, The Encyclopedia of African American History, Black Women in America, African American National Biography, and The Concise Oxford Companion to African American Literature, plus selected articles from many other reference works published by Oxford University Press. The database also includes over 6,000 biographies and over 1,000 images, as well as maps, charts, tables and primary sources with additional commentaries.
- Learn A Test
Provides interactive online practice tests and tutorial courses for academic and licensing tests. Tests include Advanced Placement, Basic Skills Success(grammar, math, comprehension), Business Writing, Civil Service (including Postal Workers), College Preparation (including SAT), Cosmetology, EMS, ESL(Spanish), Firefighter, GED, Job & Career, Military, Nurse Aide, Skills Improvement, Technical and Career College, and US Citizenship. Also includes Computer Skills Tutorials (Adobe, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word) and Writing Improvement Programs (with instant essay scoring and analysis for SAT Writing, GED Writing, Writing for Adults and High School, Middle School, Elementary School).
- Tell Me More
Learn English, Spanish, French, Italian, German and Dutch. Tell Me More offers more than 2,000 hours of content per language, covering reading, speaking, writing and listening. This database requires Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher.
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BookFlix
BookFlix is a new online literacy resource that pairs classic video storybooks from Weston Woods with related nonfiction eBooks from Scholastic to build a love of reading and learning for children, pre k - grade 3. The engaging way to link fact and fiction, BookFlix reinforces early reading skills and introduces children to a world of knowledge and exploration. Features 80 fiction-nonfiction pairs and 20 Spanish pairs. Home access is also available using your NHFPL card.
The following databases are available in Business, Job and Nonprofit
Services at the Main Library, and remote access is available as
indicated. Call 946-7431 for details.
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Foundation Directory Online
Web-based portal to the Foundation Center 's database of private philanthropies and corporate giving programs. Available only at computers in the Business Department--ask librarian to log you on.
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Foundation Grants to Indviduals Online
An online database of more than 6,500 foundation and public charity programs that fund students, artists, researchers, and other individual grantseekers. Available only at computers in the Business Department--ask librarian to log you in.
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GuideStar
Use to identify and sort nonprofit organizations by category and geographic location. Visit http://www.guidestar.org on one of the Business Department computers, then ask librarian to log you on.
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Wealth Engine
Wealth Engine web service is a comprehensive and efficient tool for determining a general profile of wealth, philanthropic intent and connections. It offers a convenient way to search 26 sources concurrently. The Premium Web Service is an online research and data mining service that provides a variety of financial, business, asset, personal, and stock information in order to help rate a prospect's giving capacity. Visit http://www.wealthengine.com on one of the Business Department computers, then ask librarian to log you on.
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Reference U.S.A.
Continuously updated information on over 14 million U.S.
businesses, with data elements that include company executives, contact
information, lines of business, credit rating, sales volume, EDGAR
filings, and much more. The residential portion includes data on over 250
million individuals, with estimated income, home values, and other
demographics. Users can create customized lists for marketing or other
purposes. Available at all library branches and through remote
access using a New Haven library card.
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Career Cruising
An interactive career resource desgned for people of all ages. Explore different career options and plan future education and training Career Cruising is available online from your home or office computer as well as at any library computer. Please call for more information.
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