The Olean Public Library provides free access to computers, productivity software and the World Wide Web. These resources offer a vast array of information for all age groups and interests.

Due to the constantly changing nature of the World Wide Web, the Library cannot guarantee the quality, accuracy or currency of information found there. Links to other sites from the Library's Web site are provided as additional resources and do not imply sponsorship of, or identification with, the Olean Public Library. Library staff cannot control these access points, which often change rapidly and unpredictably.

The Olean Public Library affirms the rights and responsibilities of parents and legal guardians to guide their children's use of all library resources, including the Internet.

The Internet offers a wide variety of educational sites, but it also contains materials which parents may find inappropriate for their children.

Children's safety on the Internet is of concern to everyone. However, it is not the Library's policy to decide to what ideas your child should be exposed. Parents are encouraged to take an active role in their children's use of the Internet, and explain their personal values and expectations for use of this resource.

The Library has available online and printed materials concerning child safety on the Internet.

Children should:

• Always ask permission of a parent before providing personal information anywhere on the Internet. Personal information includes full name, address, telephone number, or school name, or any password or credit card number.
• Never arrange to meet in person anyone they have met online without their parents' permission. A trusted adult should accompany the child to the meeting.
• Always tell a parent or trusted adult if a Web site or a message they receive makes them uncomfortable, or frightened, or if they don't understand it.

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The Olean Public Library uses K9 Web Protection from Blue Coat® content filtering software in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)] on all computers with Internet access.

Parents need to understand that filters are not perfect. They cannot block every Web site that you might not want your child to see, and they may block helpful information. Even if filters were 100% effective, they are no substitute for parental guidance.

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The Public Access Computers (PACs) in the library were purchased in 2008 and 2009 with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with matching funds provide by The Friends of the Library of Olean NY, Inc..

• The library has 14 PACs running Microsoft Vista SP2 operating system. Eleven are located in the adult area computer center and available to anyone with a valid library card on a first-come, first-served basis for up to one hour per day. Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult over the age of 18.
• Three PACs in the children's area are available only to children ages 13 and under on a first-come, first-served basis. Each session lasts 30 minutes, but card holders are allowed a total of 60 minutes of computer time per day.
• Library cards are issued free of charge (some restrictions apply). There is no minimum age limit to receive a card. ««  Click here  »» for information on how to get a library card.
• Each computer is configured with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2 or 4GB RAM, 17" LCD monitor, 3.5” floppy drive, front USB drives, DVD± R Drive, standard keyboard and optical wheel mouse and headphones.
• Patrons may transfer and/or save data to their own USB flash drives, cameras, mp3 players, CD/DVD recordable discs and 3.5” floppy discs. Some devices may not be compatible with our computer configuration.
• You may print from a computer for a nominal fee.

1. Black & White pages for 15¢ each on an HP LaserJet 4050 printer.

2. Color pages for 75¢ each on a Samsung SLP-510 laser printer.

Each computer has the following installed software:

Internet Access

Broadband access via Microsoft Internet Explorer 8

Production Software

• Access 2007 - a database program that allows you to store, retrieve, analyze and print information, managing large amounts of data.
• Excel 2007 - a spreadsheet program that allows you to organize and revise data, calculate and compare numbers, and create charts and reports.
• PowerPoint 2007 - a program that allows you to make presentation slides, outlines for your presentation, speaker's notes and audience handouts.
• Publisher 2007 - a desktop publishing program that allows you to create professional looking publications including brochures, newsletters, greeting cards, signs, business cards, stationery and flyers.
• Word 2007 - a word processing program that allows you to create, modify and format documents such as letters, resumes, reports, form letters and newsletters.

Additional Software

• Adobe Acrobat Reader - reads pdf files often used to maintain an original document over varied digital devices.
• Overdrive Media Console - for downloading and transferring digital audio books available for loan from the library.

Children's Software

• The Incredible Machine: Even More Contraptions*
• Backyard Baseball*
• Amazon Trail Rainforest Adventures*
• Reader Rabbit Kindergarten Bounce Down in Balloon Town*
• Reader Rabbit First Grade Capers on Cloud Nine*
• Reader Rabbit Second Grade Mis-cheese-ious Dreamship Adventures*
• Reader Rabbit I Can Read!*
• The Cluefinders 3rd Grade Adventures*
• The Cluefinders 4th Grade Adventures*
• The Cluefinders 5th Grade Adventures*
• I Spy Fantasy*
• I Spy Funhouse*
• Arthur's Teacher Trouble*
• Green Eggs and Ham*
• Disney Coaster Ultimate Ride*

*available only on children's computers.

Other Computers

• The Scanning Station is reserved for scanning and image manipulation. For scanning we offer a Hewlett Packard HP ScanJet 5370C Series scanner. Software includes Adobe PhotoShop CS2, Adobe ImageReady, LView Pro 2.1, and Microsoft Paint. A 1.44 floppy drive, front USB ports and a DVD-+R Drive for patron to save their work.
• The ZoomText Station has assistive software to improve accessibility for people with vision loss. ZoomText magnifies and reads text from the 19 inch computer screen. An Epson Perfection 4490 Photo scanner can be used with ZoomText to scan and read documents.
• The Microfilm computer is attached to a Canon Microfilm Scanner 300 to allow patrons to save microfilm images in digital format. Also stored on this computer are Sanborn fire maps of Allegany, Olean and Portville.

  This computer runs WindowsXP Professional OS, and has a Pentium 4 - 2.8 GHz processor, 17-inch monitor, keyboard and wheel mouse, plus 1.44 floppy-, DVD-ROM, and CD-RW drives for patron use.

• AWE Early Literacy Station specifically designed for children 2 to 8 years old has more than 30 age appropriate software titles in the areas of math, science, reading, social studies, problem solving and computer skills. The Early Literacy Station is part of Investigation Stations.

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As a certified Wi-Fi ZONE we offer a fast and reliable Internet connection supporting 802.11a, 802.11g and 802.11n (draft) protocols.

Use your own laptop or mobile device equipped with a Wi-Fi radio to access our wireless network. For information on how to access a wireless network, click here or review the instructions that came with your equipment.

We provide free wireless access thanks in part to Time Warner Road Runner who provide an Internet connection free of charge.

Use of wireless access provided by the Olean Public Library requires agreement to abide by our Wireless Access Policy.

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	ZoomText is assistive software to improve accessibility for people with vision loss. ZoomText magnifies and reads text from the computer screen. You can use the attached scanner along with ZoomText to scan and read documents.
Williams Sound Personal Pocketalker Pro is available to assist people with hearing loss. “Pocketalker Pro is a versatile, high quality assistive listening device designed to improve communications in difficult listening situations. The Pocketalker Pro* delivers clear, distinct sound, while its large, manageable control provides for easy operation.”
	Williams Sound System can enhance participation in public programming by those with hearing loss.

The ZoomText software, monitor and scanner as well as the Pocketalkers and Williams Sound System were made possible through a Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System “Computer Connections” project supported by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

For more information on this project visit the CCLS “Computer Connections” Web page.

For a demonstration of these devices contact the Information Desk at the Olean Public Library (716) 372-0200.

*“The Pocketalker Pro is not sold, advertised, or intended for use as a personal hearing aid. Williams Sound recommends that any individual experiencing hearing loss be examined by a physician to determine the cause before using amplification.”

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