Wireless / WiFi Internet Access

The Pasadena Public Library is pleased to offer free wireless Internet access to patrons with appropriately equipped wireless devices. The service has been designed to support a wide range of 802.11b/g (Wi-Fi) devices.

Just launch your web browser to establish a connection to our wireless gateway server. If your device does not connect, review the configuration settings listed at the bottom of this page.

The library provides and maintains this wireless network as a public service. Patrons are responsible for the setup and configuration of their own equipment. Library staff cannot assist in setting up laptops to work with the wireless network.

Locations

Wireless Internet access is available from any public room at any Pasadena Public Library location.

Advantages

• No waiting for a free public PC
• No enforced time limits
• Save files to your own device
• Work when and where you want to
• High-speed access
• Digital Library eBooks, audio eBooks, and music may be downloaded and accessed on your own device

Limitations

• No printing services available at this time
• Wi-Fi networks can be less secure

Configuration Settings

In many instances wireless devices will automatically detect the Library’s wireless gateway and configure themselves to use the system. If your device does not connect right away please try the following:

1. Make sure your wireless network adapter has been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Use the management software that came with your wireless device to confirm that your configuration settings match the values shown below.
   • NETWORK NAME or (SSID) - Pasadena Library
   • NETWORK MODE - Infrastructure
   • WEP - Disabled
   • IP or NETWORK SETTINGS - Obtain an IP address automatically or using DHCP
   • DNS - Obtain DNS address automatically
   • GATEWAY - No default gateway set – your card should detect it automatically
    
3. Save any modified settings and restart your device as required.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. My device doesn’t see your wireless network. Why? 
   • Our net is 802.11G, backward compatible to 802.11B. Does your device support one of these? If not, that could be the problem.
   • Are you using a firewall? Many firewalls prohibit the wireless connection. The easy solution is to turn off your firewall. The better solution is to determine how to set your firewall to allow outgoing wireless connections.
    
2. I see the Wifi, but I cannot connect. 
   • Are you using a firewall? Many firewalls prohibit the wireless connection. The easy solution is to turn off your firewall. The better solution is to determine how to set your firewall to allow outgoing wireless connections.
   • Are you using Wifi encryption? For ease of use and universal access, we do not use any encryption, so you will need to turn your encryption off.
    
3. My laptop says it’s connected, but my browser can’t see anything. 
   • Many firewalls do not allow “redirects.” However, whatever your homepage is, you are first redirected to our logon page. If you do not allow redirects, you cannot logon so you cannot surf the web. You can either turn off your firewall or learn how to allow redirects.
   • Is your browser compatible? We know our system works very well with the current versions of IE, Mozilla, and FireFox, but we also see that some versions of Safari do not work.