Computer Access at Library Locations

Authentication

Users will be able to access public workstations in the Libraries in one of two ways:

• Using a UM login with uniqname and umich password, for access to all library resources and full access to the Internet
• Using a Guest login for access to all library resources, with limited telnet access and no access to anonymous email sites. (Most, though not all, library computers allow guest login.)

How can I get a UM uniqname and password?

Most UM faculty, staff and students are assigned a uniqname and password when they join the University. If you are not sure if you have one, or don't know what it is, Library staff can help you check the UM online directory to see if a uniqname is listed for you. If there is no uniqname listed, you can contact the ITCS (Information Technology Central Services) Accounts Office, or check your eligibility online (Click on "Don't have a uniqname?" link).

Users who have not changed their password within the last few years may have trouble logging in. You can change your password online. If you forget your password you will need to go to the ITCS Accounts Office, in the basement of the Michigan Union, to reset your password.

Temporary staff, visiting scholars and other guests of the University may be eligible for a uniqname and umich password. Users should contact the administrator in the department with which they are affiliated about obtaining a uniqname. The department can then contact the Accounts Office on the user's behalf. Visitors who are not eligible for a uniqname can use guest access in the library.

Please note that off-campus access to electronic resources is not included with alumni borrowing privileges; please see the Library Services for Alumni page for details. (Alumni may still use most electronic resources by logging in as a guest on the public computers in a library location.)

ITCS ACCOUNTS OFFICE

The ITCS Accounts Office can assist with computing accounts, subscriptions, uniqnames, passwords, printing allocations and billing inquiries regarding ITCS services.

Printing

The University Library charges for printing from its public workstations. The method of payment available will be determined by user type:

UM Login: UM authenticated users can have printing charged against their University Basic Computing Package printing allocation. They can also choose to use a copy card to pay for printing at a designated printer. Printing is also available via MPrint.

Guest Login: Print jobs will be directed to a specific printer, where a copy card must be used to pay for printing. This is the same copy card used for public copiers and microform printers throughout the Library. Guest printing from Library workstations costs 10 cents per page.

What is the University's BCP allocation?

All UM-Ann Arbor faculty, staff and students are eligible for a Basic Computing Package (BCP) that includes 400 free pages of printing per term for students, and 50 pages per term for faculty and staff. The printing allocation may be used at Campus Computing Sites, some departmental labs, and in the Libraries.

What if I exceed my BCP allocation?

Students will have their student account charged at 6 cents per page for every page above the 400 page allocation, just as occurs now at public computing sites. This shows up on the student account statement - the same account through which tuition and other fees are charged - as "Additional Computing Services." Students receive several email warnings when they are about to exceed their allocation.

Other options for students: Students who are doing departmental work may contact their department's administrator to obtain funds to cover their work-related printing and may purchase a copy card to supplement their course printing costs if they do not wish to pay through their student account. Copies cost 10 cents per page when a copy card is used.

Faculty, staff and other UM users can purchase a copy card. Copies cost 10 cents per page when a copy card is used. For departmental printing, users may contact their department's administrator for payment options and departmental funding.

How can I get a copy card?

The copy card can be purchased at self-serve dispensers at most University Library sites. These are the same cards used for public copiers and microform printers in the University Library. Copies cost 10 cents per page when a copy card is used. More information is available from the Library Copy Services Website.

Refunds

Refunds for poor quality print jobs funded through BCP printing are made at the ITCS Accounts Office. Forms are available at Library public service desks. Library staff will verify the bad printout and indicate such on the refund form, which can then be submitted to ITCS Accounts Office.

Refunds for poor quality print jobs funded with the copy card will be made at the Graduate Library Circulation Department, located in the first floor North lobby, for all hours the Graduate Library is open.

How can I avoid or reduce printing charges?

Most library resources can be accessed remotely from computers in offices, dorm rooms, and private residences. There is no cost to access the resources, just a charge for printing on the library's public printers. You can print the information yourself on your personal printer at no cost. If you use one of the Campus Computing Sites to print, you will be charged the same amount per page that you will in the library.

Alternatives to printing

• When using a computer within the library, you can often email the search results to yourself. In addition, those who use UM authentication can save documents to their IFS (Institutional File System) space. You may also save to your own external USB device. You can then access the file in electronic format and read it from your computer or print it off on your personal printer later.
• The library keeps supplies of scrap paper and pencils for patrons who need to quickly write down a call number or citation. If a supply is not available near the workstation that you are using, please ask at any service desk.

Check before printing

• Check the number of pages in your print job prior to printing by using the Print Preview function from the file menu of the browser. If you are printing a PDF document, this information is displayed at the bottom left side of the screen.
• Do you really need the whole document? Print only the pages needed by setting the page range prior to printing.
• Often blank pages will be included at the end of printouts from websites and the library's networked electronic resources. Using print preview and printing only the page range necessary can eliminate the additional pages.

Solving printing problems

• All of our public workstations offer at least two different web browsers. If there are problems printing from the web, try the alternate browser.
• It is sometimes difficult to print Microsoft PowerPoint, Word or Excel documents from library workstations as we do not have the full versions of Microsoft Office applications on many of our public computers. Although you may be able to view these files, they may not print as expected. Try Campus Computing Sites as an alternative.
• Use the Adobe Reader print button rather that the web browser's file menu to print electronic journal PDF documents.