The library computers are primarily to serve Whatcom students, faculty, and staff conducting research. They provide access to our catalog, our electronic resources, and the Internet and some productivity software. Members of the public may use the email express computers.

The library instruction room (HNR201B) has 14 computers with Office XP Professional, which includes the XP versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Publisher, as well as an Internet browser and media players. This room's primary purpose is for instruction, but when no class has been scheduled it may be used by students as a general purpose computer lab. The lab computers have Vision installed for control from the room's Teaching Station, which also has a document camera.

Students may use their own flash drives for accessing their files, or they may borrow one from the library for up to 3 days. Files should be saved on such a device right after they're created and periodically as they are modified. Computers are cleared of files every time they are booted up. The library is not responsible for lost or corrupted data. Please be aware that files created by different programs or different versions may not be compatible with our software. Using certain formats may help avoid this issue, such as Rich Text Format for word processing documents. Except for notifying library staff about paper jams or general equipment problems, the staff may not be available to assist with software problems. Read below for information about other computer labs on campus. Computer use is on a first-come, first-served basis and priority is given to students conducting research.

Three email express computers are located near the entrance of the library. These are stand-up machines that have a 15-minute time limit.

Printing is available from all but the email express machines. Computers in both the instruction room and the main area use the same printers, found in the main area near the offices. Student fees cover the cost of paper and toner, but please be careful to print only what you need. Wireless network access is available in the library to those who have applied for and received a wireless network account through the Computer Help Desk in Cascade Room 127.

Other computer labs on campus (need current WCC ID - available from Student Programs in Syre208): Student Access Lab: (CAS121) This center has over 40 computers with MS Office XP applications, Internet access, printing, and web-based email service. Students must check in at the staff desk. Available on a drop-in basis (first-come, first-served), and time limits apply.

Instructional labs:

• Learning Center: (CAS112/113) Open labs available to students with current WCC ID. [Some specific computers may have been reserved for Writing Center or Math Center students.]
• Cascade Hall Lab: (CAS114) This is an instruction only lab. No drop-in use available.
• Cascade Hall CAI Lab: (CAS120/CAS123) Generally reserved for class use but otherwise available on a drop-in basis.
• Baker Hall Lab: (BKR115/BKR117) Business lab
• Baker Hall WorkFirst: (BKR106) This is an instruction only lab. No drop-in use available.
• Heiner 108 Lab: (HNR108) This is an instruction only lab. No drop-in use available.
• Kulshan Hall Lab: (KUL207) Generally reserved for class use but otherwise available on a drop-in basis.

See the college website's Campus Computer Resources for more information about computer labs and wireless accounts.