Penn State University Libraries - Using Computers in the Library

This information pertains to the libraries at University Park.  For information on other campus libraries, visit the Campus College Libraries page.

You may search the CAT (library catalog) from library computers marked "VISITOR STATION" without logging on. These visitor station computers also provide Internet access to Penn State Web sites, along with governmental Web sites. Visitors may also search most library databases using the Vistor Station computers.

Visitor Station locations in Pattee-Paterno Libraries:

• Leisure Reading Room
• Arts and Humanities Library (W202)
• Arts and Humanities Library (W211)
• Special Collections Library (Blockson Room)
• Special Collections Library (E105)
• Social Sciences Library (E201)
• Business Library (E301)
• Life Sciences Library (E401)
• Education and Behavioral Sciences Library (E501)

Wireless Internet is available in most PSU libraries. Library laptops are wireless-ready. Patrons with personal laptops must install the Cisco virtual private network (VPN) client in order to connect wirelessly. Go to Penn State Wireless for more information.

• Connect to wireless in the Libraries
• AT&T Visitor Wireless
• Wireless 2.0 (no VPN required

Note: Default PASS space allocation is 500 MB. Go to ITS's PASS resources for more information.

To connect:

Go to https://explorer.pass.psu.edu/, or:

1. Open a Web browser and go to https://portal.psu.edu/.
2. Click on Login in the upper left corner, and enter your Access ID and password.
3. Your should see the PASS Explorer on your Portal page. If it is not there, click on Add Channels in the upper right corner of the page. In the Categories drop-down menu, select Access Account Services. In the Channels box, highlight Penn State Access Account Storage Space. Then click on Add and Save.
4. On your portal homepage, click on PASS Explorer.

To save a file from your computer to your PASS space:

1. Save the file on the computer's hard drive.
2. In the PASS Explorer window, click on Upload File.
3. Click on Browse and select the file.
4. Click Upload to save the file.

You should now be able to access the file from any other computer by accessing your PASS space online. 

Laptop computers are available for loan to registered students, faculty and staff at most Penn State University Libraries.  Ask your local PSU library for details.

• You must present a valid Penn State ID to borrow laptop computers.
• Laptops are available from most PSU libraries for 24-hour, in-house use only. Laptops loaned for 24 hours must remain in the Library and must be returned at least 30 minutes before the Library closes.
• Laptops are also available from the Pattee Library Lending Services desk (University Park campus) for 7-day loan. Laptops loaned for 7-days may leave the library and are subject to overdue fees of $25.00 per day for each day overdue. Laptops not returned within 4 days of the date due may be presumed lost and replacement fees of $2,500, in addition to overdue fees, may be assessed.
• Upon return, all laptops are re-imaged and any files or programs saved to the laptop during use are deleted and cannot be retrieved. Always make copies of your work before returning the laptop.

Laptop Specs

You are responsible for any laptop borrowed on your account. Do not leave laptops unattended for any length of time. Report any hardware or software problems to a Library service desk immediately.

Thirty-six iPad 2s are available for loan to students, faculty and staff. Loans are for seven days, no renewals, with a $25/day overdue fee.

The iPads are wi-fi only, and borrowers may add their own apps.

If/when all iPads are checked-out, staff at the Commons Services desk will place holds for borrowers (borrowers cannot place holds on iPads themselves).

The LIAS-VPN (different from the VPN used for on campus wireless) is designed to help PSU users working from home to more seamlessly connect to the databases. It makes the home computer "look like" it is on campus and also makes a "secure tunnel" through which the information communicated passes. LIAS VPN is also used for music audio reserves.

LIAS VPN also allows the "get-it" button to appear in Google Scholar and in other places when the other VPN will not work. The LIAS VPN comes in with the VPN client and is at the very bottom of the list of connections after all the campuses.

Note: You can not use the LIAS VPN for wireless at UP or other on-campus locations. It is intended to be used by people who are not at a Penn State location to access the databases and other licensed library resources.

For software assistance, refer patrons to an ITS Consultant at the Gateway Commons or the ITS Consulting Services helpdesk. 

More information about accessing the Penn State network (including the VPN, and accounts).

Macintosh Users

Information about using the VPN on a Macintosh computer with the Snow Leopard or Lion OS.

In the VPN settings, specify the following to activate the LIAS-VPN

Host: vpn.aset.psu.edu 
GroupName=LIASVPN 
GroupPassword=LIASVPN 

Instructions can be found here.

Current information on printing can be found here.