Computers

Customer computers are intended for:

• searching for and locating information and material from databases and the Library of Parliament’s collections
  
• requesting material from the Closed Stacks
  
• reserving material and renewing loans in the library’s SELMA database
  
• reading and using electronic resource materials
  
• using e-services
  
• research

The computers may also be used for reading e-mails and for word processing. Each customer computer is equipped to accommodate USB flash drives and make printouts on Helsinki University photocopiers located in the Library that operate with a Helsinki University Press photocopying card.

One customer computer is reserved exclusively for searching for and reading parliamentary material and content from the Finlex legislative information database. At this computer, it is still possible to make printouts of parliamentary material and statutes free of charge. The computer is set up like a kiosk - access to other internet addresses is prohibited. It contains only the operating system, virus protection software and an Internet browser. This special customer computer is located behind the Reference and Archival Services Desk.

There are also earphones available at the Reference and Archival Services Desk. The computers may be used free of charge and need not be reserved in advance.

The computers are located on the Library’s Service Floor at street level. The Library’s ground floor contains Linux terminals for short-time use.

Customer computers have a Windows XP user interface, Internet Explorer browser, and MS Office software package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). They also feature separate programs for viewing and processing images, and for viewing and creating DVDs. Installing one’s own programs is not allowed. Additionally, there is a set of Linux terminals available, furnished with the Open Office software package and Firefox browser.

Two of the computers have English-language versions of Windows XP, MS Office, and Internet Explorer. The keyboard layout can be changed to English or Russian by clicking the language button on the taskbar of the computer. Cyrillic letters have also been marked on the keyboard.

One of the computers can be used for viewing CD-ROMs from the library’s collections, as well as CD-ROMs of the Archive of Parliament. The archived minutes of the meetings of Parliament’s committees since 2003, complete with expert statements, are available on CD-ROM. The CD-ROMs are available at the Reference and Archival Services Desk.

Files can be temporarily saved on the computer’s desktop, for example, and then on a USB memory stick, CD or DVD. Any files saved on the computer will be automatically deleted after the Library’s closing time. Files copied from the Internet can also be sent by e-mail. Files can also be printed out on photocopiers.

The library staff will provide advice on using databases that relate to the Library’s fields of expertise. Software applications are used on a non-guided basis.

No content filtering is applied to Internet browsing. Web browsing traffic is only blocked to the extent it contains viruses, malware or executables. The page history of customer computers and Linux terminals is automatically cleared when the browser is closed. Any files saved on the computer will be automatically deleted when the computer is started.

The library’s SELMA database uses cookies. A cookie is activated when a customer uses the search pages of the SELMA database and remains effective until the customer exits the search interface. The cookies used in the SELMA database are session-specific and only used for one time purposes. No customer information or any permanent records are saved on the information searches performed.

Customer printing now takes place using photocopiers for which a Helsinki University Press photocopying card needs to be purchased. The same photocopying card can be used for taking ordinary photocopies and for printouts from customer computers (the price is around 10 cents/page).

In practice, printing takes place by first giving a normal print command from a customer computer and then releasing the print job using a photocopying card, after which it will be printed out on paper.

Photocopying cards can be purchased from the vending machine in the Readers’ Lounge and from different sales locations at the University of Helsinki and elsewhere.

One customer computer is still available for printing parliamentary material and statutes (Finlex) free of charge. This special customer computer is located behind the Reference and Archival Services Desk.

A scanner for saving your own photos in digital form or texts as PDF files is connected to one of the Library's customer computers for customer use.

Scanned items can be saved onto the customer's own USB device or be sent as e-mail attachments. In addition to the scanner, the computer contains an Internet Explorer browser and Microsoft Office 2003 programs.

The scanning workstation and scanning instructions are located at customer computer number C020, which can be reserved like any other computer room at the Library’s Reference and Archival Services Desk.

For customers with impaired vision and mobility, the library offers a workstation, with a large desk that can be easily adjusted to the preferred height electronically. The ports for the USB memory stick and earphones are easily accessible on the front panel ot the computer. As well as regular office software and browser, the computer includes the Jaws 9 screen reading program and Magic 11 screen magnification program specifically designed for the visually impaired. Earphones for using the screen reading program are available at the Reference and Archival Services Desk.

You can use your own laptop in the library and access the library’s unrestricted wireless local access network (WLAN) on the street-level Service Floor, in dedicated seats in the Reading Room, and on the Self-Service Floor located on the ground floor. The Reading Room and Self-Service Floor are furnished with wall outlets for laptops. The wireless network is intended for research, information retrieval and study purposes. The user ID, password that changes monthly, and user instructions are available at the Reference and Archival Services Desk.

The back section of the library’s Service Floor contains computer rooms for those seeking a silent working environment. The computers have a Windows XP user interface, Internet Explorer browser, and MS Office software package, with one computer featuring a scanner and it’s attending software programs. These computers are mainly intended for word processing and reading electronic materials.

Files should be saved on the customer’s USB memory stick, CD or DVD. Any files saved on the workstation will be automatically deleted when the computer is started. Printouts can be made on the Library’s photocopiers. A computer room can be reserved at the Reference and Archival Services Desk for a maximum of one day at a time.

Reference and Archival Services Desk: Tel. +358 9 432 3423, email: library.service@parliament.fi