Services

WiFi

We offer free WiFi to all visitors of Muskoka Lakes Public Library in both Bala and Port Carling, 24/7. 

Connecting to WiFi

• WiFi will work inside and outside, in close proximity, to the Port Carling and the Bala library buildings, 24/7. 

• Go to your device's network settings
• Select MLSHotspot
• Read through the terms and conditions of use, and if you agree, click the button that says "Continue to the Internet"

Additional Wi-Fi information

• Staff will help with connections when possible
• Our WiFi network is an open network and is not secure
• We take no responsibility for the security and privacy of online activities
• Users of the WiFi network are bound by the terms of Muskoka Lakes Public Library's User code of conduct and Internet use and technology policies

Computers

Public access computers 

There are no public computers at the Bala branch.

There are public computers available with one fully accessible computer at the Port Carling branch.

• You do not need a library card to use the computers
• There is no fee to use the computers
• You may be limited to a 60-minute session per day
• You must supply your own headphones
• Computers have access to the following:
  • Printer
  • USB slots
  • Google Chrome
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Firefox
  • Microsoft Office 2016
    • Word
    • Excel
    • PowerPoint
    • Publisher
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
  • Paint 3D

Newspapers

We currently offer in-house access to the Saturday edition of The Globe and Mail.  

Online catalogue

At the Port Carling branch, there are two catalogue search stations in the library.

Printing, photocopying, and scanning

Photocopying is available, by staff, in Bala and Port Carling.  All fees are based on our Board approved Fee Schedule.

Printing from our public access computers

Available in Port Carling only.

• We accept cash and debit only

• All of our public access computers can print documents in black and white
• $0.20 per page, per side, payable to staff
• All pages printed are to be paid for whether they were printed in error or not
• Default setting is set to double-sided printing

Printing and photocopying from our main printer

• We accept cash and debit only

• Staff assisted (Bala and Port Carling)
• Print from USB drive or connect your device via Wi-Fi with code from staff (Port Carling only)

• Black and white (Bala and Port Carling) and colour printing (Port Carling only) 
• Double-sided printing option available in Port Carling
• 3 size options available in Port Carling
  • 8.5 x 11 inches
    • $0.20 black and white, per page, per side
    • $1.25 colour, per page, per side
  • 8.5 x 14 inches
    • $0.30 black and white, per page, per side
    • $1.50 colour, per page, per side
  • 11 x 17 inches
    • $0.50 black and white, per page, per side
    • $2.00 colour, per page, per side
• 1 size option available in Bala
  • 8.5 x 11 inches
    • $0.20 black and white, per page, per side

Scanning from our main printer

Available in Port Carling only

• We accept cash and debit only
• Staff assisted
• $1.50 per scan
• Scan to email or to a USB drive
• Output format in PDF or JPG only

Faxing

The library offers outgoing and incoming fax service at the Port Carling branch. We accept cash and debit only.

Sending

• We accept cash and debit only
• Staff assisted

• Local or toll-free $1.00
• Canada $1.00 plus $1.00 per full or part minute
• U.S.A. $2.00 plus $1.00 per full or part minute

Receiving

• Phone the library at 705-765-5650 before having faxes sent here
• We accept cash and debit only
• $1.00 for first page received
• $0.20 for each additional letter-sized page received
• Other paper sizes charged at photocopy rates