The Chicago Ridge Public Library was awarded an Eliminate the Digital Divide grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to expand access to updated computers, current software, training opportunities, and assistance to help eliminate the digital divide in Chicago Ridge. We are increasing the number of computer classes offered at the library, and 16 new laptop computers with Windows 8.1 and Microsoft Office 2013 were purchased for computer classes. 

To better assist you, 14 adult public access computers, 6 youth public access computers, and 2 adult services staff with Windows 8.1 and Microsoft Office 2013 were purchased. The updated computers and software replaced the library’s outdated equipment and software, providing patrons the technology needed for education, jobs, and digital inclusion to advance the economic development goals of the state of Illinois, the DCEO, and the community.

There are 14 computers featuring unfiltered internet access are available for adults 18 and older.

Patrons with a valid Chicago Ridge library card are allowed 1 hour of internet time per day. Time may be extended at the discretion of staff. Cardholders with a fine of over $5 on their card must pay $1 per hour for Internet use.

Patrons without a Chicago Ridge library card may purchase an internet guest pass for $1.00 for one hour’s worth of time.

The library also has one Internet Express station with a 15 minute time limit for adults 18 and older; a library card is not required to use the Internet Express and patrons may use the station once per day.

In general, only one person may use a computer at a time. Librarians may make exceptions at their discretion.

Adult Services computers may be reserved for one hour up to two days in advance. Reservations may be made in person or over the phone.

7 computers featuring filtered internet access are available in the Youth Department. Children under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign a Parental Permission Form to use the filtered Youth Services internet computers. High school students can use the unfiltered internet computers in Adult Services with parental or legal guardian permission.

2 computers loaded with children’s games are available in the Youth Department.

All public computers shut down 10 minutes prior to closing time.

Internet computers are available to patrons as a privilege, not as an automatic right or as an obligation of the Library. Internet use privileges may be modified and or suspended in their entirety, at the discretion of the Library.

Internet Use Disclaimer
The Chicago Ridge Public Library is responsible only for those pages bearing the Chicago Ridge Public Library name. The Internet is a global collection of computer networks that connects thousands of computers worldwide, some of which may contain controversial or offensive material. The Internet contains many valuable sources of information, but not all sites are accurate, complete, or up-to-date, and there are sites which some users may consider controversial, offensive or inappropriate. The library does not monitor and has no control over the information accessed through the Internet and cannot be held responsible for its content.

Microsoft Office 2013 (Word 2013, PowerPoint 2013, Excel 2013, Publisher 2013, and Access 2013) is available on all internet enabled and word processing computers.

The Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Dreamweaver, Muse, Flash Professional, Acrobat XI Pro, Audition, Bridge, Edge Animate, Edge Code, Edge Inspect, Edge Reflow, Fireworks, Flash Builder, InCopy, Prelude, Adobe Media Encoder, Scout, SpeedGrade, Story Plus, PhoneGap Build, Prelude Live Logger, Gaming SDK, Extension Manager, and ExtendScript Toolkit) is available on Adult Internet 10 and Youth Internet 1.

Library databases are available both remotely and on all internet enabled and word processing computers.

CD Burners are available on adult internet computers.

Free Wi-Fi access is available for patrons with laptops and other internet enabled devices. To connect to our network: