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Frequently Asked Questions: Computer Bookings

  1. Where can I register for access to the State Library’s computers?
  2. Where do I go to book one of the State Library's computers?
  3. Will I need to provide identification to register for computer access?
  4. I am only here for a short visit. Can I still register for computer access?
  5. What times can I book for computer access?
  6. Are there any computers that do not need a booking?
  7. How long is my computer booking?
  8. How do I log into a computer that I have booked?
  9. Can I book a computer in advance?
  10. When can I make a second booking for the day?
  11. How many computer bookings can I make in a day?
  12. What happens if I am late for my booking?
  13. What happens if I have to leave my computer for a few minutes?
  14. What happens if I have to log out in the middle of my booking?
  15. How do I know if I can extend my booking on the computer I’m using?
  16. How do I know if I cannot extend my booking on the computer I’m using?
  17. How do I use booking time from my previous booking?
  18. Can anyone else use a computer that I have booked?
  19. I did not use all of my booking time today. What happens to the time remaining to me?
  20. I do not have a computer at home. Can I make my computer bookings over the telephone?
  21. How do I cancel a booking that I have made?
  22. Can I register for computer access over the telephone?
More questions?
If you have any other questions about the computer booking system please call: 08 9427 3111 or email us on circ@slwa.wa.gov.au

1. Where can I register to access the State Library's computers?

You can Register and Book a computer from:

  • your home computer;
  • your laptop (through our wireless network when you are in the State Library building);
  • the two Bookings Computers in the State Library Foyer;
  • any of the twelve 20 minute access computers in the ground floor Discovery Lounge; and
  • any State Library computer on which you have a current booking.
You can also register for computer access at the welcome desk on the ground floor and at the second and third floor service desks.

Please see our How to register for computer access page for more detail. Please speak to our friendly staff if you have any questions about registering for computer access. 

2. Where do I go to book one of the State Library's computers?

Once you have registered, you can make your computer bookings through our Book PC Access page on:

  • your home computer;
  • your laptop (through our wireless network when you are in the State Library building);
  • the two Bookings Computers in the State Library Foyer;
  • any of the twelve 20 minute access computers in the ground floor Discovery Lounge; and
  • any State Library computer on which you have a current booking

If you are not online, please call us on: 08 9427 3111. Our staff will assist you in making your computer booking.   

3. Will I need to provide identification to register for computer access?

If you want to register for a library card that enables you to make computer bookings, you will need to provide one piece of official documentation that shows your current name. This documentation can be:

  • your drivers licence;
  • passport;
  • student card (if you are under 18 years old);
  • medicare card;
  • bank card;
  • a recent bill; or  
  • any other official documentation that bears your current name.

If you do not have any official identification you can register as a guest.  

4. I am only here for a short visit. Can I still register for computer access?

Yes you can! Please see our staff at the ground floor welcome desk, second or third floor service desks to register as a guest. You will need to provide our staff with your current name so they can create a guest registration for you. The guest registration will allow you to access our computers for seven days. After this time you will need to re-register as a guest for another seven days.

5. What times can I book for computer access?

Booking times are:

  • 9:00am – 8:00pm Monday to Thursday
  • 9:00am – 5:30pm Friday
  • 10:00am – 5:30pm Saturday and Sunday

6. Are there any computers that do not need a booking?

Yes! We provide twelve 20 minute access computers in the ground floor Discovery Lounge and a fleet of library catalogue computers which do not require bookings.

7.How long is my computer booking?

Your computer booking will be a maximum of one hour. If computers are available at the end of your booking then you will have the option of making another one hour booking. If you make a booking within the current hour e.g. 2:27pm please remember that you will be logged out from the computer on the hour e.g. 1:00pm.

8. How do I log into a computer that I have booked?

Type your library card number into the login field on the computer that you have booked then click Login. Your booking will be activated and you will have access to the computer.

9. Can I book a computer in advance?

Yes you can book a computer in advance of arriving at the Library. You can have one new booking in the system at any point during our business hours today or tomorrow.

10. When can I make a second booking for the day?

During the last 15 minutes of your current booking: you may access the booking system and make another computer booking at any time during your session. If the computer you are using is not available when you want to book it, you will have the option to make a booking on any other available computer.

Five minutes before the end of your current booking: five minutes before your current booking expires you will have the option to make another booking. Depending on the availability of computers, you may be able to book the computer you are currently using. If the computer you are using is unavailable you will have the option of booking any other available computer. 

11. How many computer bookings can I make in a day?

The number of bookings you may have in a day is only limited by the number of available computers. If an unreserved computer is available for the time you want then you will be able to book that computer. If every computer is booked then you will only be able to make a booking once one of the booked computers becomes available.

12. What happens if I am late for my booking?

The computer that you have booked will be reserved for you up to fifteen minutes after your booking time has commenced. After fifteen minutes your reservation will expire and the computer will be available for other clients to book.

13. What happens if I have to leave the computer for a few minutes?

If you are in the middle of your booking and need to leave the computer, press the Pause button. This will cause a pause screen to appear. Note: This will not pause the timer. If the timer runs out, your session will end.

14. What happens if I have to log out in the middle of my booking?

If you are in the middle of your booking and you log out, your booking will end and you will forfeit your remaining time. To use the computer again, you will need to create another booking.

15. How do I know if I can extend my booking on the computer I’m using?

If the computer you are using is available after your current booking, a pop up box will appear on your monitor five minutes before the end of your booking showing an Extend button. You will be able to extend your booking into the next hour by clicking the Extend button if there is no other booking on the computer you are using.

16. How do I know if I cannot extend my booking on the computer I’m using?

Five minutes before the end of your current booking, a pop up box will appear on your monitor asking if you would like to make another booking. You will be able to make a new booking on another computer that is available at that point or later in the day.

17. How do I use booking time from my previous booking?

Any time remaining to you from a booking you made earlier in the day may be used on any unreserved computer. For example, you may use half an hour of your one hour computer booking this morning then log out for some reason. Any time during today’s opening hours you can log on to an unreserved computer and use some—or all—of your remaining half an hour.

18. Can anyone else use a computer that I have booked?

No. If you booked a computer you will be the only person who can use that computer during your booked time.

19. I did not use all of my booking time today. What happens to the time remaining to me?

All unused booking time will be forfeited at the end of each business day.

20. I do not have a computer at home. Can I make my computer bookings over the telephone?

Yes you can! If you do not have access to a computer at home you can telephone the Library and our staff can make a computer booking for you for today or tomorrow. Please call 08 9427 3111 to make your bookings.

21. How do I cancel a booking that I have made?

You can cancel your own booking from the PC Bookings Home Page. Simply enter your library card number in the text box on the home page, and your bookings will appear with a Cancel button option.

22. Can I register for computer access over the telephone?

You can register for guest access to the computer booking system and have your guest registration confirmed by staff over the telephone. If you choose to do this, you will have guest access to our computer booking system for seven days.

Please note: guest access is not available to people who have already registered and hold a library card for computer bookings.

Page last updated: Friday 29 June 2012