By Steve Knight/editor-in-chief

No computer? No problem.

More than 375 computers for use by students, faculty and staff are available in libraries districtwide, according to TCC librarians.

Mark Dolive, SE Campus director of library services, said 40 public service computers, eight of those equipped with the Microsoft Office suite, are available on his campus during regular posted hours and are shut down five minutes before closing.

One computer is used exclusively for disabled students, and one computer accesses the library catalog. Except for college schedules, Dolive said computer printouts are 5 cents per page.

“USB ports are available on all computers, as are floppy drives, though that technology will soon be removed as computers are replaced,” he said. “Work may also be saved and e-mailed.”

Dolive said TCC students have first priority on computers and no time limits with an exception of one machine with a 30-minute time limit during heavy demand.

“All computers have full Internet access, including TCC library-specific and TexShare databases,” he said.

NW Campus assistant director of library services James Baxter said the Walsh Library has 86 computers available for public access, 30 of which are laptops.

“All of our computers provide Internet access, and all have the complete Microsoft Office suite,” he said.

NW Campus librarians currently do not charge for computer printouts.

South Campus librarian Lynda de los Santos said South’s Jenkins Garrett library has 32 public access computers for students plus laptops for use inside the library.

“Students must sign in at the circulation desk to use a computer,” she said. “Students may present a TCC student ID, a TCC library card or a copy of their current semester schedule and fee statement along with a picture ID in order to check out a computer.”

According to de los Santos, the computer checkout system enables librarians to ensure equal access to computers for all 11,000 South Campus students.

Since a limited number of library computers have word processing software, students should ask for a computer with word processing when they check out a computer at the circulation desk, she said.

All computers provide Internet access, including access to library databases, Campus Cruiser and WebAdvisor.

De los Santos said the library also has two express terminals that do not require a sign-in. Usage is limited to 15-minute increments with no seating available.

“Express terminals have Internet access, Microsoft Office access and printing privileges just like the regular library workstations,” she said.

Students can print as much as they like from the library computers. The first 10 pages each student prints per day are free. Thereafter, each page costs 10 cents.

The J. Ardis Bell Library on NE Campus has 39 computer stations on the upper level and 30 computer stations in the lower-level computer learning center. Computers automatically shut down 15 minutes before closing.

“First priority is given to students working on assignments, but there is no required login or time restriction unless students are waiting for a computer to complete an assignment,” NE public services librarian Beth Mullins said. “In that case, we ask volunteers who aren’t working on class assignments to give up their computer station.”

Printouts from computers and photocopies in the NE library are 10 cents per page, Mullins said. Some printouts, such as tuition fee receipts, financial aid forms, transcripts for TCC applicants, class schedules, IRS forms during tax season and materials from instructors who have made arrangements with librarians, are free.

Students have the option of saving to a USB drive or floppy disk and printing at another location.

Mullins said the computer learning center lab on the lower level also has Microsoft Office along with FrontPage and Publisher plus other programs requested by various faculty.

“Even though the upper-level computers don’t have MS [Microsoft] Office programs installed, they do have readers or viewers that allow one to view a file and print,” she said.

Carol Everhart, Trinity River Campus director of library services, said its library would open with 150 computers, all equipped with Microsoft Office suite, and more than 125 databases available for student use.

“Students may walk up to use the computers any time,” she said. “There is currently no reservation system.”

Students may print 10 copies at no charge and pick them up at the circulation desk. Thereafter, each page costs 10 cents, Everhart said.

All five campus libraries offer wi-fi access to students within the library.

For more information, students should contact their campus library or go to http://library.tccd.edu.