Library Computer Policy

General Computer Access

Public computers are available to customers in good standing. To use a public computer, customers need a Library card and PIN. If you do not have a PIN or have forgotten it, you can request a PIN online or by calling a LA County Library location. Customers who are ineligible for a Library card can request a card for computer use only. Computer time is limited to 2 hours per day. Printing is free up to the first 10 pages (per day); each additional page is 15¢. Computers are unavailable 15 minutes before the library closes.

Computers are assigned on a first-available basis. Reservations cannot be made.

Request a Pin

Wireless Printing

Visit any LA County Library location and print directly from your laptop, tablet, or mobile device using our wireless printing. Customers can print 10 free pages/day. Each additional page is 15¢. Get detailed instructions for Wireless Printing.

Wireless Printing Instructions

Laptop Loans

Do you know anyone without internet or a computer at home who would benefit from borrowing one—to apply for jobs, access homeschooling resources, or simply stay connected to information? You can now check out a Chromebook with built-in LTE (and handy carrying case) from any library location so you can access the internet from almost anywhere. Borrow for 6 weeks, with the option to renew, if available.

Please note: Laptop Loans require a full access adult library card to check out. Call your nearest library location for details about signing up or upgrading your digital card.

Borrow a Chromebook with built-in LTE in person or reserve one through the online catalog.

Return the Chromebook in person at the library where you borrowed it. Do not put it in the bookdrop.

Wireless Access

LA County Library offers unlimited free Wi-Fi access at our libraries. Wi-Fi access is filtered for all users by order of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Filtering cannot be removed. Customers are welcome to use available electrical outlets as long as no library equipment is unplugged and it does not create an unsafe condition.

Here’s what you need to know to access LA County Library Wi-Fi:

Provide your own Wi-Fi enabled laptop or device

Connect to the network: CountyLibraryWiFi

Open your internet browser and enter your library card number and PIN

Read and accept the Library's Acceptable Use Policy for Wi-Fi

Having trouble logging into Wi-Fi? Try these tips:

Close and reopen your browser

Make sure that your laptop is assigned an IP address from the Access Point (release any old IP addresses if necessary)

Disable any proxy IP addresses (found in your browser connection settings)

Library staff can confirm that the wireless network is functioning properly and give basic assistance. Staff cannot assist in setting up personal laptops or devices to work with Wi-Fi.

Children/ Teen Computer Access

Children under 18 can use the public computers but must have their parent or guardian’s permission to access the internet. Parents/guardians must return a completed Internet Access Permission form, in person, to a LA County Library location. On the form, parents/guardians set the level of filtering for their child’s Internet access.

Internet Access Permission

Computer Use, Laptop Loans & Wi-Fi Access

For LA County Library’s complete computer use policy, please see:

Acceptable Use Policy for Public Access Computers (PDF)

Acceptable Use Policy for Wi-Fi (PDF)

Internet Access Permission for Children (PDF)

Guidelines for Child Safety on the Internet

Normativa de Uso Aceptable (PDF)

Normativa de Uso Aceptable para Wi-Fi (PDF)

Los Privilegios de Acceso de Internet para Su Hijo (PDF)

Normas de Seguridad Infantil en Internet (PDF)

Filtering

All public computers are filtered with “General Access” (filters visually explicit sexual images). Adult customers can request that their computer be unfiltered on a per-session basis. Computers in Children and Teen Areas of the library are filtered with “Children’s Limited Access” (additionally filters offensive or objectionable material) and cannot be unfiltered.

Wi-Fi is filtered with “General Access,” and cannot be unfiltered. Wi-Fi is filtered for minors according to parental permission.

Computer Programs & Classes

Programs available on public computers include:

Internet Explorer

Firefox

Word 2010

Excel 2010

Powerpoint 2010

Adobe Reader

VLC Media Player

Picture Viewer

Public computers have USB ports for saving your work. USB devices that use an auto-run encryption/ password launcher do not work on the public computers. At this time, you cannot write to the CD-ROM drive. You can open a document using the CD-ROM drive, if it uses one of the programs listed above.

Many libraries offer computer classes, which you can find by searching the Event Calendar.

Event Calendar

Kindle Paperwhite eReader

Welcome to a New Way to Read...

Have you walked into a library and wished you could check out more books than you could possibly carry? Check out a Kindle Paperwhite at participating libraries with a collection of titles that you are sure to enjoy. Each Kindle has been loaded with expert-selected books.

You don’t need internet access - all the books are pre-loaded onto the Kindle so you are ready to read.

Three week checkout
Renew up to 3 times, as long as no one else is waiting
Must be 18 or older (or under 18 with parent permission)
eBooks cannot be added to this device by user

How do I get one?

Visit a participating library to check out or place a hold on a Kindle Paperwhite. Kindles are not sent to other libraries for pick up.
Note: Selection of genres varies per library. Click on a library below to see the list of genres.

Library Locations with eReaders

Click on the library to view list of genres available.

Laptops in this kiosk can be checked out by customers with a LA County Library card in good standing. The laptop is due back in the kiosk before the library closes on the same day it is checked out.

If you do not return the laptop to the kiosk on the same day you check it out, your library account will be charged the full replacement cost of the laptop.

When you check out a laptop from this kiosk, you agree to use it within the library only. If you remove the laptop from the library, you may held criminally responsible for theft of the laptop and/or be charged the full replacement cost of the laptop.

You are responsible for the laptop and you agree that you will reimburse the LA County Library for any damages if the laptop is damaged, lost or stolen while checked out to you.

If you check out a laptop and it is damaged, you will give it to library staff immediately.

You must save to a removable storage device (such as a USB drive) since your work will not be saved to the laptop beyond your current checkout.

LA County Library will not be held responsible for any damage or loss of data or media due to any cause while you are using a laptop from this kiosk.

By using this laptop, you must adhere to the Library’s Acceptable Use Policy. Laptops are available at the following libraries:

Consumer Health Information Program

The Consumer Health Information Program assists the public with medical research by providing information from reliable sources. Customers are invited to use the Norwalk Library collection which consists of books, magazines, videos, and online databases related to health topics. We also provide individualized research services.

Please be aware, we do not provide medical advice, nor are the materials we provide a substitute for a professional medical opinion.

What Can We Do for You?

We can provide you with information on topics such as:

Medical conditions or diseases
Prescription medications
Surgical procedures
General physician and hospital information
Book and website recommendations for further reading

How to Contact Us

Location: Norwalk Library

Phone: (562) 868-4003

Fax: (562) 868-4065

Email: chips@library.lacounty.gov

Online Resources

Health Databases *

Health & Fitness eBooks and Audiobooks *

Family Place

What is Family Place?

A Family Place Library is a center for early childhood information, parent education, emergent literacy, socialization, and family support. Family Place builds on the knowledge that good health, early learning, parent involvement, and supportive communities play a critical role in young children's growth and development. Each Family Place Library features the following core elements:

A bright, colorful, and welcoming space for young children and their parents.
A collection of books, toys, videos, music, and other materials for babies, toddlers, parents, and service providers
Access to resources that emphasize emergent literacy, reading readiness, and parent education.
Developmentally appropriate programming, such as baby and toddler storytimes for younger children and their parents.
Outreach to new and underserved populations.
The Parent-Child Workshop is a five-week workshop featuring local professionals, such as nutritionists, speech and language therapists, and child development experts, who serve as resources for parents.

The first three years of a child's life lay the foundation for learning. Get the tools and resources you need to give your child the best possible start.

Family Place Library Children playing music in Family Place Library

LA County Library Californiana Collection

Accessing the Collection

The Californiana Collection is in closed stacks at the Norwalk Library located at 12350 Imperial Hwy, Norwalk, CA 90650.

About the Collection

The Californiana Collection consists of over 24,000 books and over 200 magazine and newspaper titles in paper and on microfilm as well as a collection of state documents including state and county budgets. The goal of this collection is to present a complete picture of the history, culture, environment and artistic expression of the people of California and to some extent, the western United States.

Collection Highlights

California Census Schedules from 1850 to 1910
Copies of The Alta California newspaper 1849-1891, as well as dozens of other 19th century newspapers from Gold Rush boomtowns, the Owens Valley and San Francisco
The Los Angeles Star newspaper 1851-1879
City directories dating from the 19th century
Official city and county histories from the 19th and 20th centuries
Materials on the Donner Party, California water projects, famous California crimes, Hollywood culture, biographies of Californians, pioneer narratives of the early days of California, and histories of the state written over the course of 150 years