Technology

Mobile Hotspots

APLD circulates 20 Mobile Hotspot units for you to use. Service is provided over Verizon’s and Sprint’s networks.  Connect up to 10 devices at once including your laptop, smartphone, tablet, or any other device with WiFi capabilities to get Internet access.  Use it at home or on the road!

  • Borrowers must be 18 years or older.
  • Hold a valid Antioch District Library card.
  • Borrowers may only borrow one Mobile Hotspot unit at a time.
  • Devices will check out for three weeks at a time and are renewable if no one is waiting.
  • 5 of these hotspots are “Lucky Day” hotspots, no holds can be placed on them and they cannot be renewed.

Please note Hotspots are for use only within the United States.

Roku Sticks

APLD has a convenient way for you to watch movies. The Library circulates Roku Sticks. The Rokus are preloaded with many movie titles the Library owns, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, ESPN+ and library streaming services Kanopy and Hoopla. Currently we have twelve Roku Sticks preloaded with Adult and Juvenile movies (Ratings from G – TV MA) and four Roku Sticks preloaded with Juvenile movies (Rated G, PG, and TV-Y).

  • Borrowers must be 18 years or older.
  • Hold a valid Antioch District Library card.
  • Borrowers may only borrow one Roku at a time.
  • Borrower must have a high-speed Wifi connection at home to use a Roku Stick.
  • Borrower must have a TV with an HDMI port to use a Roku Stick.

Apple iPads

The Library is now circulating Apple iPads. The iPads are preloaded with Apple Apps such as Garage Band, Keynote, Numbers, Pages, iMovie, Safari web browser, library services Kanopy, Hoopla, Libby, and RBDigital. Currently we have two Apple iPads.

  • Borrowers must be 18 years or older.
  • Hold a valid Antioch District Library card.
  • Borrowers may only borrow one Apple iPad at a time.
  • Borrower must have access to a Wifi connection or checkout a Mobile Hotspot to use an Apple iPad.

E-Readers

APLD offers Kindle Paperwhite eReaders to Antioch District Library cardholders to check out and take home. These Kindle Paperwhites are preloaded with titles purchased by the Library. Patrons can read from the selection preloaded or download a book from Libby (Digital Library of Illinois/Overdrive). Borrowers must be 18 years old and have an Antioch District Library card. The Kindle Paperwhites circulate for two weeks and can be renewed if no one else is waiting. Paperwhites are also available with teen titles and childrens titles preloaded.

Connect to Wifi

APLD offers free, open Wi-fi for any device that has a wireless network card. Simply enable the DHCP capability in the TCP/IP settings and have the device obtain an IP automatically and your device will recognize our wireless system, called APLD. The wireless network is available only during business hours of the Library. Need help? Just ask.

Netbooks

Netbooks are available for check out at the Circulation desk to Antioch Public Library District cardholders over the age of 18. Borrowers must sign a Device Agreement before checking the netbook out.

Software available on the netbooks include:

  • Microsoft Office 2016
  • Internet access with multiple browser choices
  • Skype
  • Various 3D model building software: TinkerCAD, 123D Design, SketchUp, Meshmixer
  • Adobe Reader

When netbooks are rebooted any work saved locally, browsing history, etc. is deleted off the machine. Antivirus software is installed on the netbooks for browsing security.

Computer Labs

  • We provide two computer labs, one for adults/teens located on the lower level and one for children on the main floor in the Children’s Department.
  • There is a one hour time limit on all computers. If no one is waiting, time can be extended in 30 minute increments.
  • Users should bring a flash drive to save their work.
  • Flash Drives may be purchased from the Circulation Desk on the main floor. Size and price of flash drives fluctuates with the current market.
  • Upon reboot of any public use computer, any work not saved to removable media, browsing history, etc. will be deleted from the computer and cannot be restored. We ask our patrons to please save their work and save often.
  • Filters are in place on all public use computers. Only patrons 18 years old or older using the Adult Lab may request to have the filter turned off while they are using the computer.
  • All public use computers have antivirus software installed for browsing security.

Adult/Teen Computer Lab

The Adult Computer Lab has 14 computers plus 3 computer available for use in a private study room. Several lab computers also have flatbed scanners attached. Young children are not permitted in the Adult/Teen Computer Lab. If you have small children and need to use a computer, we will be happy to let you into a study room with a computer.

Software installed on the Adult Lab Computers include:

  • Multiple Internet browsers
  • Microsoft Office 2016
  • Open Office
  • Adobe Reader
  • Picasa
  • Adobe Photoshop Elements 12
  • Winway Resume
  • Gimp 2
  • Blender
  • Windows Movie Maker
  • Aptana Studio 3
  • Notepad ++
  • Comic Life

APLD offers computer classes for free in various programs throughout the year and one-on-one help from our Computer Coaches. To find out what we are offering, visit the Events Calendar and signup today.

Children’s Computer Lab

Located on the main floor in the Children’s Department, it is available for children under age 13. Our internet filtering software blocks many inappropriate sites, but does not replace parental judgment and what each family considers suitable for each child. Children under the age of 6 must have a caregiver assist them.

Software installed on the Children’s Lab Computers include:

  • Multiple Internet browsers
  • Microsoft Office 2016
  • Open Office
  • Adobe Reader
  • Blender
  • Gimp 2
  • Scratch 2
  • Kodu
  • Alice 3
  • Audacity

The Children’s Lab also contains four iPads for Early Literacy use. The iPads are preloaded with many Early Literacy themed apps picked by the Children’s Department staff and appropriate for ages 5 and younger.

Tweens can also access four tween iPads across from the lab that are loaded with applications developed for tween literacy and education.

3D Printing

Create 3D project files at home or from compatible software installed on the computers in both the adult and children’s labs. Completed files can then be submitted for printing at the Library using the form below.

The Library printer uses PLA filament which is very sturdy and biodegradable.

To ensure that we are able to print your project, please read the 3D Printer Policy before submitting your file.

A few general guidelines to know when submitting a project:

  • Files must be saved in the .STL format in order for our machine to print them.
  • Objects can be no larger than: 10″ wide x 6″ deep x 6.7″ high (254mm wide x 154 mm deep x 170 mm high).
  • Files must be submitted via the form below or USB drive. We are not responsible for any loss of information, loss of the drive, or damage incurred if you leave your personal USB drive in the Library’s possession.
  • The printer will only print objects in a single color.
  • Projects will need to have a printing time of 4 hours or less.
  • Cost per project is based on the number of meters of filament used on the print job and the current market price of filament.
  • Projects are printed on a first come, first served basis and will be coordinated by the Antioch District Library staff. When your project is printed successfully and ready for pickup, library staff will contact you.
  • As per our 3D Printer Policy we do not print any trademarked, patented or copyrighted materials.

Faxing

The Library has two faxing capable machines available for public use. One machine is located on the main floor right inside the entrance. The second machine is located on the lower level just outside the adult lab, also known as the Scan Station. Faxing from either location is $1.00 per page.

Scanning Station

APLD has a Scanning Station located on the lower level of the Library outside the adult lab. The scanning station includes a flatbed book scanner with a beveled edge to allow for books to lay flat and a single sheet scanner that can scan up to 20 pages double-sided.

  • Scans can be done in black or color and can be saved in various formats.
  • Users can scan to e-mail, fax, printer, Google Drive, USB Drive, or Smartphone/Tablet.
  • Scan to fax is $1.00 per page.
  • Scan to printer is $.10 for black per page and $.50 for color per page.
  • Scanning to any other method is free.

Wireless Printing

The Library offers wireless printing from any device with Internet access. From a computer, click to submit your print jobs to our coin operated printers. Select the file to be printed, select the number of copies you’d like, choose the black or color printer, select single sided or double sided and if you want to print all the pages or a range of pages. If you have more than one file you need to print, return to the top of the page and select another file to print and repeat the steps above. Once you have all the jobs ready, enter your name or library card number to identify your print jobs. Enter your email address or cell phone number to receive a confirmation message when your job(s) has been processed. Click submit and within 45 seconds the jobs show up on the print release stations in the Library.

Accessing Your Print Job

Walk over to one of the 2 coin operated print release stations in the Library, enter the name or your library card number you used above, select your print job, enter the appropriate money and take your prints. Printing in black only is $.10 per page and color printing is $0.50 per page.

Need to print from your phone or tablet? No problem!

Android and Apple both offer an App called Public Print Locations.

Apple App Store

Google Play Store

Digital Microfilm/Microfiche Reader

In our history room on the lower level, we also have a Microfiche Viewer available for use. The Library has reels of film from Antioch News and Antioch Review newspapers for the years 1888-2008 (some editions may be missing). Users are able to print articles found on the film.

Most of these newspapers are also online at Archive.org.