Technology FAQs

  • General Questions

    Many of our library locations have a charging station, charging locker, or personal device chargers for the public to charge their device. Charging options vary by location.

    • Charging stations allow you to charge your phone at the unsecured station.
    • Lockers allow you to lock up your phone using a secure PIN while it's charging. 
    • Personal device chargers allow you to charge your device with your own cord within the library.

    For more information, please contact the location.

    Location Charging Station Charging Locker Personal Device Charger
           
    Antioch Library   X  
    Bay Point Library     X
    Brentwood Library   X  
    Concord Library X    
    Danville Library X    
    El Cerrito Library X    
    Hercules Library X    
    Lafayette Library   X  
    Martinez Library X    
    Orinda Library   X  
    Pinole Library X    
    Pittsburg Library X X  
    Pleasant Hill Library     X
    Prewett Library X    
    San Pablo Library   X  
    San Ramon Library   X  
    Walnut Creek Library   X  
    Ygnacio Valley Library   X X

  • Print Card

    As of November 3, 2024, print cards are not available for purchase or reloading. 

    The old system that accepted credit cards is no longer available. Credit cards will not be an option for payment until the new printer system is in place across all locations.

    December 31, 2024

    No. All funds must be used up by end of day on December 31, 2024 or they will be forfeited.

    Only cash payment is accepted for print jobs until the new printer system is in place. 

    We are targeting the first quarter of 2025. 

    Print cards have never been subject to refunds or exchanges.

  • Laptops/Wi-Fi in libraries

    Free Wi-Fi is available at all Library locations during open hours. Any device capable of connecting to Wi-Fi can connect to this network: PCs, Macs, smart phones, tablets, etc.

    Please see the Connecting to the Wireless Network instructions (PDF) for step-by-step directions for your laptop.

    Free Wi-Fi at some locations can also be accessed from the parking lot or other outside areas. Distance and strength may vary from location to location

    Yes, as long as your Mac has the appropriate hardware: 802.11(b, g) enabled wireless device, also called “Airport.”

    Please note that logging onto the Library wireless network may not be supported by your version of the Safari browser. If you can connect to the wireless network but cannot bring up the user agreement page in Safari, try another browser such as Firefox or Chrome to accept the user agreement. Once the terms are accepted, you can use the browser of your choice.

    Please see the Mac OS instructions on Connecting to the Wireless Network (PDF) for step-by-step directions.

    Please visit the library's computer page at: https://ccclib.org/computer/ to see the current listing of libraries who offer laptop lending and for more information.

     

  • Wi-Fi Hotspots

    Contra Costa County Library Wi-Fi hotspot kits give you portable wireless internet access, Wi-Fi calling, and texting as allowed by your mobile service provider. Just turn it on and you're ready to connect up to 10 devices to one hotspot. You can use tablets, laptops, or smartphones to do research online, shop at your favorite website, download movies, and more.

    The hotspot lets you access the internet in all 50 states with unlimited data. Service is limited to areas with T-Mobile network coverage and signal strength may vary by location.

    These kits do require an electrical connection in order to charge the device. Once charged, the hotspots can used without the charger/adapter.

    Please note that online content accessed with the hotspot is not filtered and parents are responsible for monitoring their children's internet use.

    Anyone who has a Contra Costa County Library card can borrow a Wi-Fi hotspot kit at no charge. Wi-Fi hotspots are displayed in the Library catalog and may be requested by placing a hold, visiting a community library service desk, or contacting Library staff for assistance.

    You can check out one Wi-Fi hotspot kit at a time for a three week loan period. You get free wireless internet access with the hotspot during that time.

    If you don't have a Library card, you can apply for one here.

    Wi-Fi hotspot kits may be renewed twice. If another Library user has placed a hold on the item and there are no other available kits, then it cannot be renewed.

    Wi-Fi hotspot kits may be returned in Library book drops or directly to community library staff. Staff will check the contents to verify that all parts are present before the hotspot kit is cleared from your account.

    If a Wi-Fi hotspot is four or more days overdue, it is deactivated. Information about fees and charges for lost, damaged, or missing kit parts is available here. If the hotspot is missing or damaged, your account will be billed for the full cost of the kit plus a $10 processing fee.

    T9 Franklin: Activate the screen by pressing the power button quickly. Press and hold down the power button until the display screen reads “GOODBYE” to turn it off. 

    CoolPad: Press the Power button on the mobile hotspot until all four indicators momentarily flash blue. When all four buttons go dark, the Network and Wi-Fi connections have been disabled.

    T9 Franklin: The power button will flash green when the Wi-Fi Hotspot is on. To activate the screen and check the battery usage, press the power button. 

    T9 Franklin: If the display flashes between a solid battery and the outline of a battery that has no fill, the device has no power and needs to be charged. As the device is charged, the battery icon will fill. Once it is fully charged, the Wi-Fi hotspot can be unplugged from the charger. 

    Coolpad: Solid green light indicates the battery level is 40%-100%, solid yellow light indicates the battery level is 16%-39%, and solid red light indicates the battery level is less than 15%; when the device is charging, the indicator will flash red when the battery level is below 15%, will flash yellow when the battery level is 16%-39%, and will flash green when the battery level is 40%-100%.

    Oftentimes, this happens when the hotspot battery needs to be charged. Try charging the hotspot by connecting it to the micro USB charger and plugging in to an electrical outlet. 

  • Scanning

    Self-Service ScanEZ Station

    Most Contra Costa County Library locations offer free self-service ScanEZ Stations that includes a document feeder and a flatbed scanner.**

    *Crockett Library only offers a document feeder.

    Rodeo Library currently still does not offer scanning services.

    Scanning is free at all Contra Costa County Libraries.

    Faxing is not currently offered.

    There is no limit to the number of pages you can scan from the ScanEZ station. However, please be mindful of your time if others are waiting to use the station.

    • Scan to:
      • Email
      • USB
      • Google Drive
      • Dropbox
      • OneDrive
      • Smart Phone
      • QR Code
    • Text Translation
    • Scan Text to Audio
    • Restore Pictures

    • PDF
    • Word
    • JPG
    • PNG
    • and more

    • Flatbed scanner – This machine uses a flat, glass surface to scan a document (up to 12x17 inches). The flatbed is a better choice for scanning photos, artwork, and fragile documents.
    • Document feeder – This machine feeds multiple sheets of paper (letter, legal, and smaller sizes) at a time, single or double sided.

    • Audio assistance tools (narrator & volume adjustment)
    • Visual assistance tools (magnifier & contrast adjustment)
    • 25 display languages for the machine

  • Computers

    No, you don't need a library card or visitor pass to use an Express computer. However, you will need one to print.

    Sessions are limited to one hour per day.

    You may print from any of our Library computers, or from anywhere on your own device.

    Use a Library Computer

    1. Contra Costa County Library cardholders can print up to ten (10) black and white pages per day free of charge.
    2. You can print using the default settings on the computer and pickup your job at the Print Release station in the Library.
    3. At the Print Release Station, enter your Library Card & PIN to retrieve the print job.
    4. Insert cash into the machine (it accepts $1 and $5 bills as well as nickels, dimes and quarters).
    5. Ten dollar ($10) maximum per print job.
    6. Once payment has been accepted, print jobs need to be completed within 3 minutes before the Print Release Station times out.

    Print from anywhere on your own device (SmartAlec)

    1. You can send print jobs for pickup at any Contra Costa County Library using our SmartAlec service. Visit the link and enter your Library Card & PIN information.
    2. SmartAlec is also available as a free download on Android and iOS. 
    3. After logging-in, you will be able to upload a document to print. You may visit any of our locations to retrieve your print job. 
    4. Staff cannot selectively print individual pages from within a multi-page document so be sure to upload only the pages you want to print. 

    All public computers are running Windows 10 and have:

    • Chrome  
    • Microsoft Word 2016
    • Microsoft PowerPoint 2016
    • Microsoft Excel 2016
    • Microsoft Publisher 2016
    • Adobe Acrobat Reader
    • Antivirus software
    • VLC Player
    • Screen Magnifier
    • Volume Control for Headphones
    • Windows Media Player
    • WordPad

    Please log in using your library card number and PIN to use the computers and print station.

    Library staff or docents will help users get started logging onto the computer, but they may not be able to provide individual instruction.

  • Printing

    No, you don't need a library card or visitor pass to use an Express computer. However, you will need one to print.

    Contra Costa County  Library cardholders can print up to ten (10) black and white pages per day free of charge. 

    • Black and white pages are $0.15 per page
    • Color pages are $0.50 per page
    • Ten dollar ($10) maximum per print job. 
    • Scanning is free

    When printing at a Library computer, your print job is deleted at the end of the day.

    For online printing, documents stored in the print server are deleted after seven days. This cannot be extended, so if you are unable to visit during that window you will need to send your document again.

    You may print from any of our Library computers, or from anywhere on your own device.

    Use a Library Computer

    1. Contra Costa County Library cardholders can print up to ten (10) black and white pages per day free of charge.
    2. You can print using the default settings on the computer and pickup your job at the Print Release station in the Library.
    3. At the Print Release Station, enter your Library Card & PIN to retrieve the print job.
    4. Insert cash into the machine (it accepts $1 and $5 bills as well as nickels, dimes and quarters).
    5. Ten dollar ($10) maximum per print job.
    6. Once payment has been accepted, print jobs need to be completed within 3 minutes before the Print Release Station times out.

    Print from anywhere on your own device (SmartAlec)

    1. You can send print jobs for pickup at any Contra Costa County Library using our SmartAlec service. Visit the link and enter your Library Card & PIN information.
    2. SmartAlec is also available as a free download on Android and iOS. 
    3. After logging-in, you will be able to upload a document to print. You may visit any of our locations to retrieve your print job. 
    4. Staff cannot selectively print individual pages from within a multi-page document so be sure to upload only the pages you want to print. 

    Yes, color printing is available for the cost of $0.50 per page.

    Ten dollar ($10) maximum per print job. 

    • Black and white pages are $0.15 per page
    • Color pages are $0.50 per page

     

    Your privacy is something we take very seriously. There are two parts of keeping your print information confidential, the physical access and the digital storage.

    For physical access to your print job, only someone who logs in to your account can view information about your printing at the print Kiosk. A digital copy is kept on the print Kiosk in case the printer jams, only until the end of the day.

    For Online Printing, SmartAlec jobs are transmitted over TLS network protocols. These jobs are encrypted and stored in a database for seven days to provide time for you to visit and pick them up.

    Please log in using your library card number and PIN to use the computers and print station.

  • Copy/Fax

    There is a copier available for public use at each Library. It costs $0.15 per page for black and white, $0.50 per page for color.

    Unfortunately we do not have fax machines at any of our libraries.