In accordance with the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights, the Oakland Public Library provides unrestricted access to the Internet at every Library site, including through its wireless networks, where available.

By choosing to use this free wireless service you agree to abide by the Library’s Internet Policy that prohibits abusive or illegal activity while using the Library’s Internet service.  This policy can be found on the Library’s website:  http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/about/internet_policy.html

This service is free of charge and subject to the terms and conditions of use as follows:

Limitations & Disclaimers

• Wireless access is provided as a public service free of charge on an as-is basis with no guarantee and no warranty. The library’s Wireless network is subject to periodic maintenance and unforeseen downtime.
• Information passing through the Library's wireless access is not secured and could be monitored, captured, or altered by others. There are risks involved with connecting to a public wireless connection, such as possible viruses, malware, loss of data, possible hacking/snooping by others connected, possible hardware/software failure. It is your sole responsibility to protect your information from all risks associated with using the Internet, including any damage, loss, or theft that may occur as a result of your use of the Library's wireless access.
• All Wi-Fi users should have up-to-date antivirus software installed on their computers.
• The laptop owner is responsible for setting up their equipment to access the Oakland Public Library Wireless network.  Library staff is not permitted to handle your laptop or peripheral equipment. Library staff is not allowed to configure patrons’ laptops, nor can they provide more than general assistance in getting connected to the wireless network.
• The Library assumes no responsibility for the safety of equipment; users must keep their equipment with them at all times.
• In using this free Internet access, you agree and hereby release, indemnify, and hold harmless, the City of Oakland, its officers and employees, and any affiliate, from any damage that may result from your use of this wireless access.
• While using this wireless access, you acknowledge that you are subject to, and agree to abide by all laws, and all rules and regulations of the City Oakland, the State of California, and the federal government that is applicable to Internet use.
• At its sole discretion, the City Oakland may terminate this public service at anytime without prior notice.
• Printing is not available via the wireless connection at this time.   If the user desires to print, the file can be saved to a flash/thumb drive or emailed to themselves and printed from a public computer in the Computer Lab for a nominal fee per page.
• Laptop owners may only use designated electrical outlets fitted with surge protectors to connect up their equipment.
• Due to limited bandwidth, during peak hours Library staff may limit the type of internet use.
• Any attempt to circumvent library procedures or any unauthorized attempt to access or manipulate library equipment will result in permanent disconnection from the library’s Wi-Fi network.
• If you do not agree to the above terms, please disable your wireless connection or turn off your computer.
  

Connecting to the network requires a laptop computer with wireless capability supporting the WiFi standard (also known as IEEE 802.11b/g ).

A. Finding Oakland Library Hotspots

To find the Library's hot spots, click on your wireless icon in the taskbar:

If no icon is present:

• Click   Start,   Settings, 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   Oakland Library Hotspot wireless connection
• Click   Connect and you are on the internet.

B. Alternate ways to connect by Operating Systems

Windows OS

• Right click   My Network Places/Network Neighborhood
• Go to   Properties
• Double click   Wireless Adapter  (or simply click on your vendor icon for the wireless adapter in the lower right hand tool bar of your screen)
• SSID (network name) =   Oakland Library Hotspot and a DHCP address will be allocated automatically
• Note = No encryption
• Mode or Network Type = Infrastructure mode or access point
• Restart ( reboot) the computer (this is not a requirement with Windows XP)
• Open a Web browser

MAC OS

• Click on   System Preferences  from the Apple Menu
• Double click the   Network  logo
• Under   Show Menu  select   AirPort
• Close window
• Open   Internet Connect  and turn on   AirPort
• From   Network Menu  select   Oakland Library Hotspot
• Open a Web browser

B. Troubleshooting Network Settings

Windows 98

• From   Control Panel, select   Network
• Locate the   TCP/IP protocol  and get into its Properties  (if more than one TCP/IP protocol is listed, look for the one associated with your wireless adapter)
• For   IP Address, select   Obtain an IP address automatically
• For   DNS, select   Disable DNS
• For   WINS, select   Use DHCP for WINS Resolution

Windows 2000 & XP

(You may need administrative access to your laptop to change these settings)

• From   Control Panel,  select   Network and Dial-up Connections  or Network and Internet Connections  >   Internet Connections
• Right click   Wireless Network Connection  or   Local Area Connection; click   Properties
• Locate the   TCP/IP protocol  and get into its   Properties  (if more than one TCP/IP protocol is listed, look for the one associated with your wireless adapter)
• Select   Obtain an IP address automatically  and   Obtain DNS server address automatically
• For XP, right click   Wireless Network Connection  and select   View Available Wireless Networks
• Select wireless network   Oakland Library Hotspot and click Connect

Windows NT

(You may need administrative access to your laptop to change these settings)

• From   Control Panel, select   Network
• Locate the   TCP/IP protocol  and get into its   Properties  (if more than one TCP/IP protocol is listed, look for the one associated with your wireless adapter)
• Select   Obtain an IP address from a DHCP server  and click   OK

Windows Vista

• Open Connect to a Network by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Connect to.
• In the Show list, click Wireless. You'll see a list of the wireless networks currently available.
• Select wireless network   Oakland Library Hotspot and click Connect .

Macintosh

Network Settings (OS 8 & 9):

• Select   Apple Menu  >   Control Panel  >   TCP/IP
• Connect via   AirPort  or other wireless (WiFi) ethernet
• Configure   Using DHCP Server
• Leave Name Server and Additional Search domains   blank

Network Settings (OS X):

• Select   Apple Menu  >   System Preferences  >   Network  button
• Select   TCP/IP  tab and configure   Using DHCP  (above the TCP/IP tab, you may need to configure via   AirPort  or other wireless (WiFi) ethernet)
• Leave Domain Name Servers and Search Domains   blank

C. Internet Explorer Tips

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

• From   Control Panel, select   Internet Options  >   Connections  tab
• For those with a   dial-up connection, do   not  set it to   Always dial my default connection