What is Pharos?
Pharos is an automated computer system that allows patrons to independently log on and off the library’s public computers
Why is the Babylon Library using this new system?
The Pharos system will provide equitable computer access to all Babylon Public Library patrons and will enable us to better manage our public computers.
How do I use the Babylon Library computers with the Pharos system?
To use the computers at the Babylon Library, you must log on with your valid Babylon Public Library Card barcode and your 4 digit password which is the last 4 digits of your telephone number on record.
If you are a non-resident of the Babylon Library but have a valid library card from a Suffolk County library you may log on with your library card barcode and your password which is the last 4 digits of your telephone number on record.
If you are an out of town visitor (no Babylon or Suffolk County library card) you must see the Circulation Desk to apply for a one day use guest card.Guests must show photo identification to the Circulation clerk to obtain a guest pass. Residents and guests who are eligible for a library card at a Suffolk County library are expected to attain one. Guest cards are not for regular users, but are for users who are ineligible for a library card in Suffolk County.
Please note that patrons with fines of $5.00 or more at any Suffolk County Library or patrons with expired library cards will be denied access to the Babylon Library computers until fines are paid and expired cards renewed. Expired cards must be renewed at the patron’s home library.
How do I get started?
If there is a vacant computer, just sit down and log on with your library card and password. If the computers are all in use and you are a Babylon Library cardholder, go to the Reservation Station located at the end of the computer bank and reserve the next available computer. Once you’ve reserved the next available computer, refer to the monitor which is located on the Adult Reference desk to see when a computer will be ready. The monitor will list the people in the queue and assign you a computer when one is available. You will be identified by your first name and the first letter in your last name. If there is more than one person with same name, a number will be added to the end.
THE RESERVATION STATION IS FOR BABYLON LIBRARY CARDHOLDERS ONLY. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A BABYLON LIBRARY CARD AND THE COMPUTERS ARE FULL, YOU MAY WAIT IN THE LIBRARY AND IF A COMPUTER BECOMES AVAILABLE THAT IS NOT RESERVED FOR A BABYLON PATRON, YOU MAY ACCESS THAT COMPUTER, HOWEVER THE LIBRARY CANNOT DETERMINE HOW LONG THAT WAIT MAY BE.
How will I know when my computer is ready?
Your name will appear on the queue monitor located on the Adult Reference Desk. It will be highlighted in red with the location of your computer listed. Once your computer is available, you will have 5 minutes to log on to that computer. If you do not log on within the 5 minutes, you will lose your reservation and you will have to sign up again at the Reservation station.
How long can I use the computer?
Babylon Library cardholders are limited to 1 hour which will automatically be extended if no one else is waiting for a maximum of 3 hours per person per day or 3 logons per day.
All others are limited to 1 hour which will automatically be extended if no one else is waiting for a maximum of 2 hours per person per day or 2 logons per day.
What is Extended Session Time?
Provided that there is no one waiting to use the computer, you are automatically put into extended session if your initial hour is up, and you have not yet used up your 3 hours maximum time for the day. If a queue develops, you will be given a 5 minute warning. After the 5 minute warning, you will be logged off and the next patron waiting will be assigned that computer. If you have not used all your time/logons and are a Babylon Library cardholder, you can sign up to use the computer again at the Reservation Station.
What happens if I only use some of my time?
The system keeps track of how much time you have used, and will allot you your remaining time if you log in again later in the day. Don’t forget-Babylon cardholders can only login 3 times per day no matter how much of your time has been used up and all others can log in a maximum of 2 times per day or a maximum of 2 hours.
If I use up all my time and the computers are not being used, can I sign up for another hour?
No the system will not permit it. This is one of the reasons we have extended the maximum amount of time for computer use for Babylon Library cardholders from 2 hours to 3 hours.