How to Get On the Web
In this section, you will learn:
Please watch the video and read the information below to start learning.
Video of How to Get On the Web
To start finding information and using the World Wide Web, you need to connect the Internet first. You can get on or connect to the Internet in many different ways.
For example, inside the Martin Luther King Jr. Library, you can get on the Internet using one of three ways.
How to Get on the Web with a Wired Connection
At the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, computers in the computer lab are connected to the Internet through a wired connection. A wire known as an Ethernet network cable plugs into these desktop computers providing an Internet connection as shown in the picture below.
Picture 1. Wired Internet Connections - the DC Public Library computers are connected to the Internet through using an Ethernet cord
To use the computers at the DC Public Library's computer lab, you will need to have a library card, which you can get for free. For how to get a library card, please follow the directions found here. For rules on how to use the computers at the DC Public Library, please follow the rules found here.
How to Get on the Web with a Wireless Connection
At the DC Public Library, you can also connect to the library's Internet using your own device wirelessly for free. Laptops, tablets, and smartphones all typically have the ability to connect to the Internet wirelessly or the Wi-Fi network. Computers are able to connect to a Wi-Fi network by connecting to a wireless network access point or hotspot.
Picture 2. Wireless Internet Connections - the DC Public Library offers free wireless internet or Wi-Fi to its patrons
For support on how to connect to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library's Wi-Fi network, please visit the instructions found here.
How to Get on the Web with a Mobile Network Connection
You can also connect to the Internet through connecting to a carrier's mobile network. Companies such as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile provide wireless mobile Internet connections most commonly for smartphones and tablets. These wireless Internet connections are often called 3G and 4G networks. Unlike Internet access at the DC Public Library, you usually need to pay for mobile Internet access.