What do I need to use Pharos?

To use Pharos you will need the 14 digit number from your library card.*

To print from the Pharos Station, you will need a Debit Card purchased from the Debit Card Dispenser near the Pharos Station.

I have a valid Fairfield Public Library or Pequot Library card in my possession.

You are all set to sign up to use a computer.

I have a library card from another Connecticut public library and have used it to check out material from a Fairfield public library within the past 3 years .

You are all set to sign up to use a computer.

I am a Fairfield resident, but I don’t have a library card.

You can get a new or replacement card at our Circulation Desk.

I am a Connecticut resident, but I don’t live in Fairfield and I don’t have a library card.

You’ll need to get a card from your home town library. Then our Circulation Desk staff will register the card from the library into our system.

I am a visitor to Fairfield . Can I still use your computers?

Yes, we can log you in as a visitor 3 times.

*Please note that using someone else’s login information is not allowed and will result in the loss of computer privileges.

How do I get started?

If you see there is a computer that is not being used , just sit down at the computer and log in with your library card number. You will be able to use the computer for varying amounts of time, depending upon which type of computer you have chosen. We offer Internet/Word Processing computers for up to 1 hour, Internet Express/Word Processing computers for up to 20 minutes, and Word Processing Only computers for a maximum of 120 minutes.

If all of the computers are being used , go to the Pharos Station, log in with your library card number and reserve a computer. After you’ve made your reservation, be sure to keep your eye on the Queue Monitor near the Pharos Station - it displays the reservation queue and will indicate which computer you should go to when it’s your turn. When you see that a computer is ready for you, just sit down at the computer and log in.

How long can I use a computer?

You can use the computers for a maximum of 2 hours per day. After your first hour, you may sign up on the same computer or another computer for as long as 60 minutes. If other people are waiting, you can sign up for a second hour at the Pharos Station, but you will go into the queue and you will have to wait your turn.

What if I use up my 2 hours? If computers are not being used, can I sign up for more time?

No, the system will not permit it. This is one of the reasons we have extended the maximum amount of time for Internet use from 1 hour to 2 hours.

Are there advance reservations over the phone or over the Web?

Yes, you may call the Reference Desk at Fairfield Woods Branch Library to make reservations for up to 2 days in advance. That number is 255-7308. Or, you may sign up over the web by going to http://www.fplct.org/signup/.

Are there advance reservations in person?

Yes, you can make a reservation later that same day or up to 2 days in advance.

How long will the system hold my reservation before it is released for reassignment?

If you have signed up for a reservation in advance, the system will hold your reservation for 15 minutes. The 15 minutes are included in your total session time.

If you are in the queue for the next available computer, the system will hold your reservation for 10 minutes. The 10 minutes are not included in your total session time.

Will the system warn me at the end of my time?

Yes, you will be warned when there are 10 minutes remaining and a final warning when there are 2 minutes remaining. There is also a clock icon at the bottom right hand corner of the screen that counts down your session minutes.

How do I print with Pharos?

From the computer : Send an item to the printer as you normally would from your computer. Follow the pop-up dialog questions by first entering in your library card number. Please pay special attention to the dialog box that indicates the number of pages that are being sent to the printer and the cost of the print job. Confirm your print job by clicking “OK”, or clicking “Cancel” if you do not want to print the item. If you do not select “OK” or “Cancel” within 20 seconds, the print job is automatically deleted.

From the Pharos Station: Login to the Pharos station using your 14 digit library card number. Choose the “Print a Document” icon from the menu. A list of your print jobs will show on the screen. Select the job you’d like to print from the list by clicking on it. Insert your Debit Card into the card reader, and your balance will appear at the bottom of the print jobs queue. Click “Print” to release the job to the printer for printing, or click “Delete” to cancel printing. When you have finished printing, press the “Eject” button on the Debit Card Reader to release your Debit Card, and then “Log Off” to end your session.

Once a job is selected and released for printing, it cannot be cancelled. Please note that your print job will remain in the queue for 4 hours; if you do not print within that time, your job will be deleted.

How much does printing cost?

Prints cost $.10 per page; color prints are $.50 per page.

Why are Fairfield Public Library and Fairfield Woods Branch Library switching to Pharos? I liked your old system of signing up.

The old system wasn’t working for us. There were misunderstandings and confusion over who was signed up where, making it difficult for both patrons and staff. Many patrons would walk away when they saw all of the computers being used, so we weren’t serving all of our patrons equally.

We are confident that this system will work better for the vast majority of our patrons. Additionally, it will enable us to accurately document our usage statistics and justify continued funding of our computer-based services.

Will Pharos keep a history of my Internet activity?

This system is not being implemented to track Internet activity. Our version of the Pharos system does not provide us with information about what Internet sites are being viewed. However, we do continue to expect our patrons to avoid Internet sites that may contain objectionable material. Anyone who violates this agreement will be asked to leave the premises and may have their Internet privileges revoked.

Pharos | Internet /Computer Use