Computers & Laptops

All reading rooms at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building have free public access computers providing varied access to library catalogs and selected electronic databases. Some reading rooms provide computers with access to specialized databases. Internet access is available in several rooms on the third floor of the Library.

The largest number of computers can be found in the The Deborah, Jonathan F. P., Samuel Priest, and Adam R. Rose Main Reading Room.  Librarians and technical staff are available to assist users with the Library's online catalog and electronic resources. In addition, our free classes teach information retrieval skills and electronic database searching techniques.

Computer Services Available at the Schwarzman Building:

The Catalog

All reading rooms have dedicated computers for accessing the online catalog of The New York Public Library. The largest number of dedicated catalog computers can be found in the Bill Blass Public Catalog Room. The catalog is also available from any Internet-accessible computer outside the Library at https://catalog.nypl.org.

Electronic Resources

All reading rooms provide dedicated computers for searching over 165 databases, electronic full-text journals, and other online resources that the Library licenses or selects to support the subject and research interests of its users. Most of these resources are licensed for use on-site only. A searchable list of online databases and indexes is now available.

Wi-Fi

For patrons who bring their own laptops, a free Wi-Fi connection is available throughout the Bill Blass Public Catalog Room (Rm. 315), the Rose Main Reading Room, the Edna Barnes Salomon Room (Rm. 316), and the DeWitt Wallace Periodical Room (Rm. 108).

Laptop Docking

The Library also offers a free Laptop Docking service in the South Hall of the Rose Main Reading Room. Patrons must bring their own Ethernet cable. To connect your laptop computer to the Library's high-speed Internet connection, follow these configuration instructions.

Internet and MS Office

Access to the Internet and MS Office is available in the Rose Main Reading Room for one 15-minute or 45-minute session per day. Users will need a library card to gain Internet access. Visitors to the Library coming from outside of New York State will be signed in as guests for free access and must provide photo identification. See the Library's Policy on Public Use of the Internet.