By Laurie Lyda
Rowan Public Library

The other week, I was offering long-distance technical help to a friend over the phone. They were trying to complete a complicated application — midway through, they learned they had to print it out, sign it and then rescan it. They were appalled. “How am I going to do that?”

I laughed and delivered my perennial, go-to advice: “Go to the public library!”

They visited their local library the next day and were happily and easily able to print their documents and complete the process.

Rowan Public Library offers business services to its customers, too. These include mobile printing (black and white and color options), copying (black and white and color options), faxing, computer use, free WiFi and more, all available for low fees. Pay onsite using cash, coin or card. There is a $2 minimum for card purchases. Consult with staff if you have questions.

While RPL has offered mobile printing for several years, it recently switched to Princh printing, which is even easier to use. Whether you are onsite at a branch or printing from home, you can use this service to send your print job to the desired RPL branch. You then have three days to claim your documents before the send expires.

Nominal print charges apply. Black and white prints at RPL are 15 cents per one-sided page (a two-sided page is 30 cents). Color prints are 75 cents per one-sided page.

Access Princh via its direct website, print.princh.com/ or the Princh app, which is available through app stores for Android and iOS users.

Each of RPL’s four branches has its own Princh code, so be sure to enter the correct code for your chosen pickup location:

RPL Headquarters (Salisbury) — 108879
RPL East (Rockwell) — 108881
RPL South (China Grove) — 108880
RPL West (Cleveland) — 108882

Next, upload your document(s). On the website, once uploaded, the document’s file name will show, along with print settings for black & white or color and number of copies. Click the “Settings” icon to adjust paper format and page rage. The last column previews the price of printing each uploaded document.

Once you have uploaded all your documents and adjusted print settings as needed, review and accept Princh’s Terms and Conditions. Then, click “Continue.” A pop-up box will ask for your email. This is the same email you will enter onsite to identify your print job.

After entering your email, click “Okay.” The last screen shows the progress of your print job. When all dots beside the uploaded document are green and the last column says “Ready,” you are good to visit the print release station at your chosen branch to pay for and collect your prints.

It is not possible to pay directly using the Princh site; payment must be made onsite at the chosen RPL branch. Visit the print release station and enter the email you gave Princh. Follow the prompts on the screen to release, pay for, and print your documents.

Public use copiers are also available at all four RPL branches. Costs are the same as printing: Black and white prints at RPL are 15 cents per one-sided page (a two-sided page is 30 cents). Color prints are 75 cents per one-sided page.

Another popular service is faxing, which remains the communication method of choice for many companies. Local and toll-free faxing costs $3 for every 10, one-sided pages. Long-distancing faxing costs $3 for the first page and then $1 for each additional page. RPL cannot send faxes internationally.

If faxing at RPL Headquarters in Salisbury, there is a 20-page limit for each fax.
Fax cover sheets are offered at all RPL locations at no additional charge.

To receive faxes at an RPL branch, the cost is 15 cents per one-sided page. Fax numbers:
RPL Headquarters (Salisbury) — 704-216-8237
RPL East (Rockwell) — 704-216-7974
RPL South (China Grove) — 704-855-2449
RPL West (Cleveland) — 704-216-8293

Need computer access? Each RPL branch has a public computer lab. RPL cardholders with accounts in good standing (balances of $20 or less) may use a computer free of charge. For non-cardholders or those whose accounts are not in good standing, customers with a valid photo ID may purchase a guest pass for $2 that allows a 110-minute session.

Importantly, customers should know that public access computers do not permanently save any files, passwords or documents. Subsequently, before your computer session ends, save important files on a flash drive or cloud-based storage account to ensure your work is not lost. RPL does not sell or provide flash drives.

Free Wi-Fi is available to all users in branches and on library grounds, whether or not they are RPL cardholders. Choose rowannc-wifi from your device’s Wi-Fi menu for instant internet access. No username or password is needed.

As with any public unsecured wireless internet connection, wireless users are to be cautious and choose not to transmit personal information (credit card numbers, passwords and any other sensitive information) while using the connection. All wireless access users should have up-to-date virus protection on their laptop computers or wireless devices. Any restriction or monitoring of a minor’s access to the library’s wireless network is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

For assistance with RPL’s mobile printing, copying, faxing, or other business services, call 980-432-8670, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org, or visit any Rowan Public Library branch.