Computers
All of our locations have computers available for public use.
Computers are available to use on a walk-in basis. Log into a computer using your library card number and PIN. If you aren't a library member, you can sign up for a free library card at the service desk.
A computer session lasts up to two hours. Use our computers for up to three hours a day.
An express computer session lasts up to 15 minutes.
You can reserve a computer at any of our locations. Log in with your library card number and PIN to make, change, or cancel a reservation. We’ll hold your computer for up to 10 minutes after your reservation begins.
Each Windows 11 computer has:
- Accessibility software: On-screen keyboard, magnifier, Narrator screen-reading app, Windows Speech Recognition
- Image editing tools: Paint.net, Snip and Sketch, Paint 3D, GIMP, Photos app
- Internet browsers: Chrome, FireFox, Edge
- Media players: VLC, Blu-ray
- Microsoft Office Suite 2016: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher
- PDF tools: PDF24 to manipulate (not edit) PDF files; Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing and printing PDF files.
Additional software includes Google Earth Pro, DB Browser for SQlite, Inkscape, iTunes, MediaInfo, Openshot Video Editor, jGRASP and Python.
All computers include USB ports and have printer access.
Our computers do not have disc drives. To play a CD or DVD, visit the service desk and any location to borrow a Blu-Ray player and connect to a computer.
We permanently delete all user data between sessions as per City of Burnaby’s IT Policy. This includes deleting your internet browser history, passwords, and any files stored on the computer. Your browsing history and files can’t be restored once your session ends.
To learn more about your privacy when using library computers, See Public computers, devices and wireless network under Library Policy: Privacy.
The Digital Studio is located at Bob Prittie Metrotown and has computers with specialized software and equipment. In the Digital Studio you can:
- record and produce professional quality audio
- design and illustrate with powerful software
- convert printed photos, negatives, slides, video and film into digital files
- use specialized software to edit audio, video and images
All public computers have Microsoft Accessibility features that include
- A screen reading app
- A magnifier
- An on-screen keyboard
On the second floor of the Bob Prittie Metrotown branch, there is a low-vision reader workstation, to magnify pages.
