Internet and Word-Processing Services

There are several computers for customer use across all floors.
Some only allow you to connect to the library catalogue and databases the library subscribes to.
For others the login screen will present you with options for free or paid internet.

Free Internet
Use this option to:

• do your own research across the Library's subscription databases, websites and catalogue.
• search across NZ government, local government and academic sites.
• other selected information sites selected for relevance to homework projects.
• word-processing.

Paid Internet
Use this option for all other sites, including web-mail and google searching. Purchase a code for the specific time period you require from a staff member to gain access. As a security measure, the PC will reboot either when you close the session, or at the end of your time limit, so it is important to keep an eye on the timer.

Photocopying and Printing

There are copiers on each floor.
A standard A4 black and white copy or printout costs 20 cents.

Self-service scanning is not available, although should you require this from an item in the library's collection staff will be able to assist for a fee, subject to the usual copyright considerations.

MP3 players

If you would like to try out our audio-book collection to see if it is worth investing in the equipment, then we have a small number of players which can be borrowed for a short time. Please ask at the Fiction desk.

Tours and Presentations

If you, or your community group would like to learn more about how to get the best use out of your library we are happy to arrange for either a tour tailored to your interests, or a demonstration of our online resources. Please contact enquiries@wcl.govt.nz to make a booking.

HQCBD

Need a central meeting place in Wellington City?

Or just a quiet place to work or discuss issues?

HQCBD is our casual office space available in central Wellington.
Our two meeting rooms are:

• Private and quiet
• Convenient and comfortable
• Inexpensive
• Housed in the Central Library, an iconic Wellington building
• Close to all amenities
• Easy to book - no contracts to sign

The rooms can accommodate up to six people, and cost from $10 per hour.
Interested? Contact us on 04 801-4068, or email us at hqcbd@wcc.govt.nz.

Music Room

If you would like to try playing a music score from our extensive collection before borrowing it we have an electric piano available in the Music Room on the first floor.

Please go to the Arts, Music & Literature desk and ask to use the Music Room. There is a half an hour time limit over busy periods and it is only suitable for one or two people at a time. The room is not soundproofed.

Housebound Service

If you are unable to physically visit our Library locations you may be eligible for our Free Housebound Service (located on the second floor). Continued access to the Library can be a lifeline for those of us who are permanently unable to get to the Library due to illness, age or impairment.

Our professional staff pick items, according to your preferences, from throughout the Library, and you are able to reserve books yourself online. We have a group of volunteers who deliver items from all of the Library Collections to you.

ProSearch

Are your research or reference needs time sensitive or require a level of privacy? While all of our staff can help you with your requests, if you have a deadline or complex query we have a professional search and information service - ProSearch.

Whether it's searching our specialist online databases, or the Internet, or finding facts from books, journals, government documents, our professionally trained information specialists know the quickest way to find accurate information. Testimonials and more information can be found here.

Wireless Internet

Do you have a Wi-Fi enabled device? The Library does not have free Wi-Fi, but has several providers of wireless internet services that customers may access, CafeNet, suitable for casual use, and others mainly for customers already subscribed to the particular service.

CafeNET - Central, Newtown and Tawa Libraries

Telecom Wireless hotspot - Central Library

These wireless services are operated by private companies. We cannot provide support for problems connecting to private wireless providers

Stories @ 7

Not everyone can get to Kids Library events during the day. If you've been missing out on sharing the Library story-time experience try Stories@7 for 7 year olds (and up!), at 7pm, on the first Friday of the month, at Central Library.

45 minutes of fun story-time and there's something for everyone!

Disability

Smartview makes seeing things much easier for people with low vision and ordinary eyesight. It is great for photos, letters and documents and is adjustable for particular eye conditions. Find the Smartview on the Ground Floor at the Central library by the Large Print Collection.

ZoomText is available on the Large Print area and Second Floor free internet computers at the Central Library. ZoomText enlarges font size on web pages and electronic documents (email, newspaper databases etc) and can be set to read these aloud or display in high contrast large print.

ScannaR is a scanner that can read printed documents out aloud (e.g. a typed letter from a business contact or relative); located in the Housebound Service room on the second floor, please ask for assistance.

Video Relay
New Zealand Video Relay Service http://www.nzrelay.co.nz
Grandstream GXV-3000 video phone
VRS enables users who use sign language to communicate via videoconferencing with a Video Interpreter (VI) through the internet or Video Phone. The VI then interprets/relays the signed conversation over the phone - in real time- to the hearing caller. By using sign language over the full motion video, this allows the sign language user to fully express in their natural language and convey facial expression and cues to ensure nothing gets lost in the translation. All calls are confidential.

External Organisations in the Building

Clark's Cafe
Clark's cafe, the first cafe in NZ to be in a Library building and situated on the mezzanine floor, (which runs between the Civic Square and Victoria street entrances) opened the same day as the Central Library building under it's original operators James and Julie Clark. While the Clarks have moved on to award winning establishments, the high standard of service and food has been continuously maintained. This bustling, vibrant, child-friendly cafe overlooks the ground floor allowing coffee drinkers to feel part of the Library.

Mezzanine Community Space
The Mezzanine Space is often used for events such as Tai Chi and embroidery groups. The room can also be hired for events, for example there is a regular Toastmasters meeting held there. Bookings are made through the events coordinator at city communities (04) 499 4444. The room is accessed across the Mezzanine Bridge (sometimes used for community displays) from Clark's cafe.

Citizen's Advice Bureau
Located next to Clark's Cafe on the Mezzanine level the Citizen's Advice Bureau, an independent non-governmental community organisation, offers confidential assistance on a wide range of issues, including queries about immigration, tenancy, and employment etc. They also provide free legal advice.
http://www.cab.org.nz