Public PCs

Last reviewed August 2021
Last updated August 2023

Public PCs are available in all campus libraries.  The Endpoint Solutions & Spaces (ESS) group in Library IT is responsible for the maintenance and replacement of public PCs.

Public research computers:

  1. The computers allow visitors to access library catalogs and licensed library resources without having to authenticate.
  2. The Library website icon will open the Library Web homepage in Chrome. Because libraries are no longer able to add or change desktop icons high-value resources should be linked from the Resources section on library homepages or via applicable LibGuides.
  3. The computers have a uniform desktop with the same icons on every computer.
  4. Included desktop icons:
    1. UC Library Search
    2. Library Website
    3. IE
    4. Printing and Scanning
    5. Aeon
    6. USB Drive
    7. Eject USB device
    8. Shutdown
  5. CleanBrowsing DNS is being used to manage access to web sites.  The filters intentionally block access to sites categorized as: adult and pornography, adult mixed content, ads and tracking, torrents, P2P and file sharing, proxy and VPNs, gaming, gambling, dating, online radio, weapons, social networks (such as Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus), and malicious (sites and domains identified as risks to the computer and network). Access to email hosted on .edu, .gov, .org, and .com domains is allowed. This means that Library IT no longer has to add each licensed resource URL to the permitted sites list. As a result, for access to licensed resources via public research computers, selectors no longer need to use the Request to Add, Remove, or Modify a Proxy Resource form.
  6. The computers only have reader, not editing, versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.
  7. The CD-ROM drive has been disabled on Public Research Computers.

Public full suite computers:

  1. Require CalNet ID login.
  2. Included desktop icons:
    1. Recycle bin
    2. Chrome
    3. Microsoft Edge
    4. Mozilla Firefox
    5. Printing and Scanning
  3. Included task tray icons:
    1. File Explorer
    2. Microsoft Store
  4. Provide UCB students, faculty, and staff full Internet access.
  5. Have full versions of Microsoft and Adobe applications. For a full list of software see the Software on public computers page.

All public computers:

  1. Downloading to a USB drive is available. Most files stored on a USB drive may be opened as well. Example file types include docx, xlsx, pdf, jpg, mp4.
  2. Computers are equipped for sound and are compatible with standard audio headphones using mini-plug jacks.
  3. Printing to print stations is available. Print jobs must be released within 2 hours or they will be purged from the queue.

ADA workstations at Moffitt (3rd Floor), ENVI, EAL, and BIOS include:

  • 7-Zip
  • Adobe Acrobat DC
  • Adobe Bridge 2021
  • Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Adobe Digital Editions
  • Adobe Illustrator 2021
  • Adobe Lightroom
  • Adobe Photoshop 2021
  • ArcGIS Desktop
  • ArcGIS Pro
  • Balabolka (A text to speech program. It does not show up as an installed program, but you can hear the computer reading text when you put on the headphones.)
  • Central Access Reader (a text to speech program)
  • Citrix Workspace
  • Google Chrome
  • iTunes
  • Kurzweil (Students with licenses issued by DSP will be able to login to this program.)
  • MathPlayer (A math reader. No desktop icon, but should be visible in the program listing)
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • MSO Professional Plus 2019
  • Notepad++
  • NVDA (A screen reader)
  • Printing and Scanning (desktop shortcut icon)
  • PuTTY
  • QGIS
  • R for Windows
  • RStudio
  • VLC Media Player
  • WinSCP
  • Wolfram Mathematica

Please report problems with public PCs to helpbox-library@berkeley.edu