Public Computer Use

Welcome to the UWT Library. You are welcome to use the UWT Library’s information resources and services for purposes of research and learning. UWT Library staff seek to provide services and facilities that support and foster the free flow of learning, information-gathering, and other related activities.

Public Desktop Computers

Designated public desktop computers are available in the Library for use by the general public. These computer provide access to UW Libraries resources plus .edu and .org websites. There is no access to .com websites or email. UWT students have priority access at all times.

UWT Wireless Network

Public users may also request a temporary NetID which grants access to the UW wireless network. To be eligible, the requestor must be affiliated with an institution of higher education or Federal, State, or local government agency.

During the sign-up process, users will be required to present two forms of ID. If the user does not have BOTH forms of ID no temporary NetID will be issued:

  1. Either current higher education identification, OR current Federal, State, or local government employee ID. Examples of acceptable ID for this first category include; Tacoma Community College ID, Military ID, and State Department of Ecology ID.

    2. AND

  2. State driver’s license, state identification card, or a passport. There is an option for “library card” on the online form but this is not an acceptable form of picture ID at UW Tacoma.

Temporary NetIDs will only be granted for the minimum amount of time necessary for the user to complete their project.

Requests for a temporary NetID from users who do not have education or government affiliation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Director of the UWT Library and Learning Resources or his designated appointee. Users will be asked to fill out the Request for Wireless Access form that includes a brief description of their research, justification of why the public desktop computers are not suitable for this research, the amount of time needed to complete the research, and contact information. Library users requesting special access to the wireless network will generally receive an answer from the Library within 3 business days. This form can be dropped off at the Circulation or Reference desks in the Library, or mailed to:

Charles Lord
UW Tacoma Library
1900 Commerce St.
Box 358460
Tacoma, WA 98402
Free WiFi Hotspots

As a courtesy, the library has compiled a Google Map which shows the locations of all known free WiFi hotspots in Tacoma/Pierce County. A hard copy of this map is kept at the Reference desk for quick Reference.