Borrow a Mobile Hotspot
Mobile hotspots are devices that connect Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones, tablets, and laptops to the internet from any location in the continental United States within Sprint's 4G or T-Mobile coverage areas. One hotspot connects up to 10 Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the internet, and a fully charged device lasts about six hours.
Borrow a mobile hotspot for 3 weeks. Visit the Takeout Tech Collection (available to Lake Forest residents aged 16 and up) in the Library Rotunda or place your hold in the catalog.
Public Computers
Desktop computers and laptops are available for use in the Library. With both, you can:
- Use programs in the Microsoft Suite including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Browse the internet.
- Explore online resources and databases supplied by the Library.
Desktop Computers
All visitors to Lake Forest Library can use our public desktop computers.
- Reference Room on the Main Level
10 computers (2 standing)
1 color printer/copier
1 scanner/fax machine - Business Room on the Main Level
7 computers (1 standing)
1 black and white printer - Children's Library on the Lower Level
4 computers
1 color printer/copier
Desktop computers are available first-come, first served, and cannot be reserved ahead of time. Instructions for using the computers are on the screen. If you need help getting started, please ask at the Main Level Reference Desk.
Scan & Fax in the building
Scan
- A dedicated scanner is available for public use in the Main Level Reference Room.
- Scans are free. If you choose to print your scan, printing costs $0.10 per black and white page and $0.50 per color page.
Fax
- Patrons may also use the scanner to send faxes.
- When starting your fax, select the "Domestic" option. ("International" will not work.) Domestic includes the U.S. and Canada.
- Faxes are free. We encourage you to select the "Email confirmation" option and enter your email address (not the recipient's) to get an emailed copy of the successful fax. You may need to check your spam folder.
Copy & Print in the building
When in the Library, use our printers to copy physical pages or print digital files from one of our public computers.
- Reference Room on the Main Level
1 color printer/copier - Business Room on the Main Level
1 black and white printer - Children's Library on the Lower Level
1 color printer/copier
Once you start your copy or print job and it is in the queue, go to the printer to pay and use the monitor to release your print job. Printing costs $0.10 per black and white page, $0.50 per color page.
Step 1: Send your file ahead of time
Please note that your file is not automatically printed. You must come in to the Library to print it yourself.
Your file will remain in the print queue for 2 hours. Lake Forest Librarians cannot retrieve files that have expired. Please plan accordingly.
To remotely send a file to the Library, so that you can come in to the Library within 2 hours and print it yourself, complete our Print from Anywhere form. The link will open in a separate tab so that you can refer back to these instructions.
Choose whether you want your document(s) printed in Black and White or Color. (Prices are in the Printing Fees section.)
Enter your email address.
Tap "Browse" to search your device and select the file you want to print. Tap the next arrow (►). (If your document is large, please wait a few moments for the next screen to load.)
On the "Printing Options" screen, choose from available options including number of copies and whether you want to print the entire document or a page range. Then tap the next arrow (►).
On the "Approve print job" page, check your details and cost. If you approve of your print job and cost, tap the green printer icon to submit your job to the queue.
When the job has been successfully submitted, you will be taken to a confirmation screen.
You can then choose to submit additional print jobs or exit the program.
Step 2: Within 2 hours, come in and print your file yourself
- Come into the Library to complete your print job. You must arrive at the Library within 2 hours of sending your file to print it yourself.
- Visit the Print Release computer in the Reference Room. The Adult Services Librarians can point you to the correct station.
- Release and pay for your print job. Cash only, otherwise you need to visit the Main Circulation Desk and have Library staff add the printing cost as a fine on your library card account. You can then pay your library account balance at any time by selecting "Pay Online" in the Library catalog.