Central Library has 140 computer workstations for free public use. Log on with an active Library Card number. If you do not have a card, ask staff for a guest day pass. Sessions are limited to one hour, but you can have unlimited sessions if no one is waiting.
Adult Computers
Most workstations are on Floor 5 and do not have disc drives. All adult workstations have the internet, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Adobe Reader. Additional media production software is available on the Innovation Lounge computers on Floor 5 West. Personal headphones are required to hear audio. Some workstations have disc drives; these will play CDs and DVDs, but not Blu-Ray discs. The public computers do not have Bluetooth capabilities.
Additional workstations include:
- 10 Desktop PCs – Floor 5 North (with disc drives)
- 3 Gaming PCs – Floor 5 North (with Steam and Grand Old Games)
2 Adaptive – Floor 6 North (with MAGic keyboards and adaptive software)
APL Innovate
Thirteen computers (eight Desktop PCs and five Apple M1 iMacs), located in the Innovation Lounge on Floor 5 West, are equipped with media production software. The Innovation Lab (Room 523) on Floor 5 West has two Apple Mac Pro Towers.
Please see APL Innovate for a complete list of available software.
Reservations for computers in the Innovation Lab or Innovation Lounge are available for 2 hours and can be made in advance by text or online.
- For same-day reservations:
Text Austin Library Innovate to 512-898-7734 - For same-day and future reservations: Reserve Online
Youth Computers
The Children’s Room has many ways kids from 2-12 can connect and learn, including 12 educational workstations and 12 internet stations with popular games and educational software.
The Teen Area has a variety of computers for teens age 13-18, including 6 high-powered computers, 6 iMacs and 8 PCs.
The Youth and Family Atrium has 4 computers for homework. A Youth Library Card is required.
Laptop + Device Checkout
Central Library additionally has laptops and devices available for four-hour checkout for all ages, including MacBook Air, Chromebooks, Ultrabooks and early literacy tablets for children. These are located in kiosks, require an active Library Card, and are for in-building use only.
The Central Library, and all branch locations, have Chromebooks that may be checked out of the library with an active Library Card for three weeks. These can be found at the main Circulation Desk on the 2nd floor.
The Chromebooks and the Central Library laptops all have webcam capabilities.