Wi-Fi

Public wireless Internet access is available at all DC Public Library locations. Wi-Fi uses high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data over limited distances.

Read the library's wireless limitations and disclaimers.

Instructions for PCs | Instructions for Macs

Instructions for PCs

Connecting to Wireless | Finding Library Hot Spots | Windows XP

Connecting to the Wireless Internet

Connecting requires a laptop computer with a wireless Internet card that supports the Wi-Fi standard (also known as IEEE 802.11b/g).

1. Configure your computer to automatically accept an IP address.
2. Right click My Network Places/Network Neighborhood.

Finding Library Hot Spots 
To find the library’s hot spots, click on your wireless icon in the task bar. If no icon is present:

• Click Start, Settings and then Network Connections.
• Right-click wireless Network Connection, and then click View Available Wireless Networks (a list of wireless access points appears in the Available Networks box).
• Click the Public wireless connection.
• Click Connect.

 
Microsoft Windows XP

1. From the desktop, right-click My Network Places/Network Neighborhood, and select Properties.


2. Click "create new connection" from the sidebar menu.


3. In the pop-up box, click the text that reads "view wireless networks in range."

4. In the Wireless Network Connection window, select "public" and click connect (or double-click).


5. Close this menu, and open a Web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.).
 

Instructions for Apple Macintosh OS

Connecting to the Wireless Internet
1. Click on System Preferences from the Apple Menu or Dock.
 

2. Double-click the Network logo.


3. From this Network window, select AirPort from the left menu.


4. Select "public" from the Network Name drop-down menu.
5. Click Apply.
7. Open a Web browser (Safari, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.).

(Depending on your version of software, there may be variations in these procedures.)