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Computing

Explore options for using Library-provided computers and laptops.


Long-Term Laptop Lending

For students with significant financial need who have need for a long-term loan of a laptop, you may apply to the campus laptop loan program. Questions may be sent to techlending@ucsd.edu.


SSO Computers 

  • Require student, staff, or faculty login via Active Directory account.
  • Offer internet access and a full range of research and productivity software, including Microsoft Office.
  • Workstations are updated and rebooted each night; any user data on the hard drive is erased. Save data on external media or the cloud, or email files.
  • All areas include both iMacs and Windows PCs.

Available in:

  • Geisel East Commons (2nd Floor)
  • Geisel West Commons (2nd Floor)
  • Brody Collaborative Space (Geisel 1st Floor West)
  • WongAvery Library Commons (1st Floor)

Software Installed on Library Computers

Core Software

Specialty Software

  • ArcGIS (Geisel PCs only)
  • Autodesk (Geisel 2 East PCs only)
  • MatLab
  • Mathematica
  • Mendeley Desktop (Macs Only)
  • R Statistical Computing
  • Stata
  • Zoom

SSO Computers in the Library are maintained by UC San Diego ETS. To locate specific software on campus computers, please contact the Service Desk at servicedesk@ucsd.edu or by phone at (858) 246-4357.


Public Computers

The UC San Diego Library provides limited public computers. Public Computers are intended for research, scholarship, and other academic work. While the Library supports open access to the internet, employees may ask a library user to vacate an InfoStation for the following reasons:

  • Priority is given to UC faculty, staff and students, and those using government resources
  • A 30-minute time limit may be imposed when others are waiting 
  • Use of InfoStations for chat room messaging; Instagram, Facebook, and other social media communications; games; and commerce is not permitted

We have two models of Public Computers available

Public Computer Kiosk

:white_check_mark: Access to internet browser in private/incognito mode
:white_check_mark: Access to printing via Wepa Print app
:cross_mark: No access to internal or external storage (file explorer or USB drives)
:cross_mark: No access to the Windows desktop or any other applications
:cross_mark: No external sound, please bring wired headphones to listen to audio
blue location markerAvailable in Geisel West Commons (2nd Floor West) and WongAvery Library Lobby (1st Floor)

Public Computer Lite (PC)

:white_check_mark: Access to limited Windows desktop and applications
:white_check_mark: Access to printing via Wepa Print app
:white_check_mark: Access to Adobe Acrobat Pro
:white_check_mark: Access to external storage (USB drives)
:cross_mark: No access to Microsoft applications
:cross_mark: No external sound, please bring wired headphones to listen to audio
blue location markerAvailable in the Geisel Service Hub (2nd Floor)

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

  • Four docking stations are available in the East Commons (Geisel 2nd Floor) and 10 in the West Commons (Geisel 2nd Floor) for those bringing their own laptop, but who wish to use a full-size keyboard, monitor, and mouse.
  • One docking station is available in the WongAvery Grad Lounge.
  • These stations offer various connections including VGA, DVI, HDMI, Displayport, and mini-Displayport (Apple thunderbolt) video hookups.
  • Many items to support BYOD activities (e.g., adapters and chargers) are available in the  Tech Lending Program.

Tech Lending Program (TLP)


Specialty Computing

  • Digital Media Lab (East Commons, Geisel 2nd Floor) is a multimedia production / postproduction studio.
  • Data & GIS Lab (West Commons, Geisel 2nd Floor) offers data and GIS software.

Questions or Problems?

Contact campus IT at servicedesk@ucsd.edu or (858) 246-4357 for problems with campus computers or AD accounts.