Visit to the Library

I just got back from my visit to the library to learn about the technology they are using. When you first walk into the library you go up a few stairs and on the right is a huge room full of computers! What is great about the Bangor Public Library is that you never have to wait to get onto a computer because they have so many! The room is divided into computers for adults and teens. You log onto the computer using your library card bar-code. If you are an adult trying to use a teen computer your bar-code will not let you access that computer. I know from experience! You are allowed 65 minutes at the computer per day. Patrons with $10 worth of over due fees are blocked from accessing the computers. The computers do not have disk drives but documents may be transferred on and off a 3.5" disk, CD-rom, or USB flash drive at the returns desk.  There are disks available for $.50 each. 

The Bangor Public Library is also a mix of art museum. On the top floor just below the giant dome you can find some great sculptures and beautiful old furniture. Here is a photo of the magnificent dome. Also sprinkled through-out the library are paintings. This is one of my favorites.

All of these computers are networked with a printer that sits behind the book return area. The cost per page is ten cents. They have a limit of 50 pages of printing a day. Before I had the luxury of owning my own printer I would come here all the time to print.

The reference area has a few computers for research. All of the computers have access to Microsoft office and internet explorer. The systems they run on are Microsoft vista.

The computers internet connection is funded using e-rate money. They all have the mandatory censors/filters in place. The adult computers do have the option to disable the filtering software. It is easy to disable the software yourself. Once you log off of the computer it will automatically turn on again for the next user. Teenagers do not have the option of turning the software off.

 My personal favorite part about the Bangor Public Library is the Wi-fi! The internet is extremely fast all over the building. When you visit this library it is amazing to see the number of people with their laptops.

If the library has issues with the computers they first try to fix it themselves. If this is not possible they do use outside sources of help.

The library does not lend out technology based equipment. Like laptops, e-readers, or mp3 players. They do lend out dvds, cds, and books on tape.

The ergonomics is fairly decent at the library. They do have office type chairs at the computer stations. The chairs are able to raised or lowered. If you bring your lap top to the library you will have plenty of choices as to where you can sit. If you sit at one of the large tables you will have access to plugs for your laptop. Their are also other plugs located throughout the building.

The library does have an acceptable use policy. You can find it at http://www.bpl.lib.me.us/internet_use_policy.htm

The Library has a great website. The site has a link to URSUS right on the home page. It is extremely user friendly. The Library is into social networking. You can follow them on twitter, facebook, and on book banter. Book Banter is the online reading club. They have about 6 monthly choices. Either chosen by the library staff or patrons. The library also has a blog. Their blog has not been updated since February 2010. I honestly do not like blogs, this is why. No one ever keeps up with their blogs. They tend to die quickly.


The Bangor Public Library serves around 900 patrons on a daily basis! This is an extremely busy library. It is amazing that one is able to find a computer to use and a place to sit. Yet, I have never had to wait for a computer or was not able to find a place to use my laptop. When I lived in New York City I would have to wait for hours to use a computer. Here in Bangor, Maine I have a great local library with plenty of computers and I am truly thankful for the service this library provides.