Laptops in the Library

Personal Laptops | Circulating Laptops | Printing from Laptops

Personal Laptops

Students, faculty, staff and users from outside the University can use their own laptops at all U.Va. Library locations. Note: Users from outside the University will need to follow special procedures to gain access to the U.Va. wireless network. See more information on this below.

Follow the instructions listed below on how to access the U.Va. wireless network, how to access the wired network, and how to connect to the pay-for-print public printers:

Connecting to the Wireless Network

Make sure you have a wireless card installed in your laptop. To view ITC's recommendations for wireless cards see: http://www.itc.virginia.edu/csd/wireless/choose.html

Once you have correctly installed a wireless card you will need to configure the card for it to properly work with the U.Va. network. For instructions on how to configure wireless cards see: http://www.itc.virginia.edu/network/wireless/encrypted.html

For further information about the U.Va. wireless network see ITC's Wireless homepage at: http://www.itc.virginia.edu/wireless/

Connecting to the Wired Network

You can also connect your laptop to the University's wired network with an ethernet card. Network ports are available in all the libraries. Ask library staff about the location of network ports. Network cables are also available for checkout at Alderman, Bio-Psych, Clemons, and the Science & Engineering Library.

If you need help configuring your ethernet card to work with the U.Va. network call the ITC Help Desk at 924-3731.

Connecting to the Network as a Guest

If you are a guests of the University wishing to connect your personal laptop to the U.Va. network, you will need to obtain a temporary personal identification number (PIN) to register your network card. The PIN can be obtained from the service desks in Alderman, Clemons, and Brown libraries. In addition to the PIN, you will be given special instructions for connecting your laptop to the network, as well as a copy of the U.Va. Computer Usage Policy. Each guest PIN is valid for seven days; when it expires, you will need to request a new PIN.

Wireless Network

The wireless network is generally accessible throughout the above libraries. Ask library staff for details.

Note: The circulating laptops use an unencrypted wireless connection, which means users should be cautious about sending sensitive data over the network from these laptops.

Wired Network Data Ports

The circulating laptops also have ethernet cards allowing users to connect to the University wired network with a network cable. Network ports are available in all the libraries. Ask library staff about the location of network ports. Network cables are also available for checkout at Alderman, Bio-Psych, Clemons, and the Science & Engineering Library.

Other Laptop Accessories

Clemons Library also has power strips and laptop locks available for checkout.

 Printing from Laptops

Printing from Personal Laptops

Learn how to set up your own laptop to print on a library printer.

Printing Problems

If you are unable to send print jobs to a public printer, report your problem to the library's circulation desk and have them contact Printing and Copying Services (PCS). You can also report printing problems to PCS by using their Help Request Form.

For more information about PCS public printers, see: http://www.virginia.edu/uvaprint/