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Public Libraries for Community College Students

This guide includes public library resources available at no cost to community college students and the general public for academic, professional, and personal development.

Computers, Laptops and Hotspots

Computer IconLA County Library offers Laptop & Hotspot Loans for 21-day checkouts from all locations. There may be a wait list, so call a library location and ask before you go. Link to Laptop and Hotspot Loan webpage.

All LA County Library locations have public computers available to use with your library card. Link to LA County Library computer use policy.

Select LAPL locations offer hotspots for 6-week checkouts. The closest to ELAC is Echo Park Branch Library. There may be a wait list, so call ahead. Link to list of LAPL branches that offer hotspots for checkouts. 

Public computers are available at select LAPL locations with your library card and you can reserve ahead of time Link to list of LAPL branches where you can reserve a computer to use inside the library.

Free Printing, Copying & Scanning

Printing

Printer IconLA County Library offers 10 free pages (black & white) of printing and/or copying per day to anyone with a library card. Additional pages are $0.15 per page. You must pre-pay for additional pages and only cash payments are acceptable. You can print from your own device and upload to the wireless printing service link. You can visit a LA County Library location and print from a desktop computer.

LAPL offers remote printing from all their locations. You can print 10 free pages (black & white or color) per day from your own device by uploading to the mobile printing service link.

You can also visit a LAPL location and print from a desktop computer reserve a computer link.

Copying & Scanning

All LA County Library locations have a copy machine and scanner. They offer 10 free pages (black & white) of printing and/or copying per day to anyone with a library card. Scanning is free!

At LAPL, copies are $0.25 per page and only cash is accepted. Scanning is available at some LAPL locations. The closest to ELAC is Arroyo Seco Regional Library.

Creative Technology

Paper airplane iconNeed creative studio tools? The Octavia Lab at LAPL's Central Library is open by appointment. Check out the website for current hours and services. 

  • 3D and poster printing
  • Sewing machines and computerized embroidery
  • Green and buff screen backdrops
  • Computers with access to creative software

WiFi

WiFi Icon WiFi

Both LA County Library and LAPL locations offer free WiFi to anyone: A library card is not required.

Some LA County Library locations offer enhanced WiFi in their parking lots, so you don’t even have to go inside the building: Link to LA County Library Park & Connect

Tech Skill Development

Group of Technology Icons

LA County Library Resources Link to LA County Library Online Learning webpage 

  • LinkedIn Learning with Lynda offers video tutorials and classes in business/office, creative and technology skillsets and specific apps. If you are interested in building your skills in MS Office 365 (You have free access through ELAC!), graphic design, web design, post production, database management and beyond, explore what LinkedIn Learning. 
  • Gale Courses: Select Technology from the course catalog to see the available classes.
  • Universal Class: Select Computer Training from the areas of study or search for a specific software app or skill.
  • Brainfuse: Select Expert Help > SkillSurfer > Computers and Technology or select Adult Learners > Microsoft Office Help
  • Learning Express: Select Computer Skills Center to see available guides and tutorials. 
  • Khan Academy has tutorials on coding, animation and computer programming: From the courses list, find computing > Select See All Computing.

LAPL Resources Link to LAPL Online Learning webpage

  • Brainfuse: Select Tools for Learners > Learn Now > Computers and Technology or select Adult Learners > Microsoft Office Help
  • Gale Courses: Select Technology from the course catalog to see the available classes.
  • Learning Express: Select Computer Skills Center to see available guides and tutorials. 
  • LinkedIn Learning with Lynda: See above description.
  • Northstar is all about building essential computer skills. 
  • SkillShare offers video tutorials on software apps and skillsets. Click on Browse and select a topic from the list or search for a specific software app.