InfoCommons

About the InfoCommons

The InfoCommons is spread across both floors of the Ebling Library along the Atrium window. It is the result of a merging between the Ebling Library and the HSLC InfoLab, providing an integrated environment for library and information technology staff, services, and resources. It is open to the entire UW-Madison Community (currently enrolled students, faculty and staff of all schools). Access to the InfoCommons workstations requires logging in with a UW ID number.

The InfoCommons offers a variety of resources and services, including:

Use of the InfoCommons computers must be consistent with the University's mission and with its role as a public agency. For more information, please see the Policy for Appropriate Use of UW-Madison Information Technology Resources.

Computers

There are 115 desktop workstations spread throughout the Ebling Library. From all workstations, you can access the internet, search a variety of databases and open/edit Microsoft Office applications. You may also view DVDs, listen to CDs and use mini USB hard drives.

InfoCommons Workstations [check availability]
UW ID required

60 iMacs - Dual Boot (Windows 7 or MacOS 10.6) - Individual Student Workstations

21.5" Monitor; 2.5 GHz Intel Quad Core i5; 4GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6750 (512MB-DDR5) Graphics, DVD+-RW Optical Drives, SDXC Card Reader, Firewire 800 port, Thunderbolt port

available software
12 iMacs - Dual Boot (Windows 7 or MacOS 10.6) - Collaborative Student Workstations

27" Monitor; 2.7 GHz Intel Quad Core i5; 4GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6770 (512MB-DDR5) Graphics, DVD+-RW Optical Drives, SDXC Card Reader, Firewire 800 port, 2 Thunderbolt ports

available software

Public Access Workstations
No UW ID required; limited software available

43 Windows PCs - Individual Public Workstations

17" Monitor

available software

Other Equipment

We have a variety of equipment available for use within the InfoCommons (for services outside of the library, see HSLC Classroom/AV Services):

* = available for checkout

50 Macbook Pro Dual Boot Laptops*
3 iPads (1st Gen)*

Audio/Video Equipment (details)

1 Panasonic MiniDV Camcorder (Tripod checkout available)*
4 Canon FS31 Digital Camcorders (Tripod checkout available) *
1 Canon VIXIA HF11 High Def. Camcorder (Tripod checkout available)*
2 Casio XJ-A140 Projectors (1 Day Checkout Only)*
2 Fujifilm FinePix AX200 (12 megapixel)*
10 Zoom H2 Portable Recorder Microphones*

Miscellaneous Equipmemnt

4 Epson V500 Flatbed Scanners
4 HP-P4015 Black & White Laser Printers
1Sharp MX2600N Color Laser Printer
1 Nikon Coolscan 5000 High Resolution Slide Scanner
35mm slide viewer
VCR/TV carts (group study rooms)
Cassette players*
Laser pointer*
Headphones*
2 Logitech USB Microphones *
Cables & Adapters:

Network Ethernet Cables*
12' VGA/Audio Cables*
Firewire Cable*
Palm Hot-Sync cables*
Power Adapters (Dell PA-10 90W)*
Power Adapter (Apple MagSafe 60W)*
Power Outlet Strip (6' cord)*
Laptop Cable Locks*
Mini DisplayPort to VGA (Mac) Adapters*
Mini DVI to VGA (Mac) Adapter*
DVI to VGA Adapter*

USB Devices:

Floppy Drives*
Flash Drive (4GB & 2GB) *
Memory Card Reader (HC)*
Mice*
Zip-Drive (100MB or 250MB)*
LaCie Slim DVD±RW *

Software

The InfoCommons and Public Access computers offer a variety of desktop applications. Need something we don't have? Check for software available at other campus labs.

A B C D E F G H I J K M N O P Q R S T V W X Y | ALL

Laptop Checkout

50 MacBook Pro Dual Boot (OSX or Windows 7) laptops are available for 3 day loan. Each unit comes equipped with basic productivity software.

Check Available Laptops

Checkout Policies

Please see the ECS website for a detailed description of campus-wide checkout policies.

There is quota of 20 laptop checkouts per patron, per semester
You must present your UW ID and another photo ID to checkout a laptop
Checkout is limited to 3 days
Laptops must be returned to the Ebling Library Service Desk during regular library hours
Overdue fines are $20 per day
Patrons are responsible for any loss or damages to the laptop or accessories
Laptops cannot be renewed
Laptop Checkout Policy Sheet

Equipment Checkout

Video cameras and other equipment is available for 3 day checkout, unless otherwise specified..

Camcorders

Panasonic MiniDV with tripod (1)
Canon FS31 Digital Camcorders (Tripod checkout available) (4)
Canon VIXIA HF11 High Def. Camcorder (Tripod checkout available) (1)

check availability

Projectors

Casio XJ-A140 Projectors (2) 1 day checkout

check availability

Digital Camera

FinePix AX200 12 megapixel (2)

check availability

Cassette Players

Headphones

Laser Pointer

Microphones (USB)

Logitech USB Microphones (2)
Zoom H2 Portable Recorder Microphones (10)

USB Devices

Floppy Drives
Flash Drive (4GB & 2GB)
Memory Card Reader (HC)
Mice*
Zip-Drive (100MB or 250MB)
LaCie Slim DVD±RW 1 day checkout

Cables & Adapters

Network Ethernet Cables
12' VGA/Audio Cables
Firewire Cable
Palm Hot-Sync cables
Power Adapters (Dell PA-10 90W)
Power Adapter (Apple MagSafe 60W)
Power Outlet Strip (6' cord)
Laptop Cable Locks
Mini DisplayPort to VGA (Mac) Adapters
Mini DVI to VGA (Mac) Adapter
DVI to VGA Adapter

Wireless

Wireless Printing
more info

Connecting to HSLC Wireless

The HSLC wireless network is available in most areas of the InfoCommons and the Ebling Library. This will provide you access to the same databases as the library workstations. To connect, you must have a wireless enabled laptop.

Open your browser
You should see the HSLC Wireless connection at the bottom of your screen.
No password or log in is required.
If you are unable to connect to the network, ask us for assistance

If you do not have a wireless card, you may connect to the network via an ethernet cable plugged into one of the many data jacks spread throughout the InfoCommons and the library.

Mobiles

Recommendations from the School of Medicine & Public Health

The UW School Of Medicine & Public Health recommends that students acquire a PDA sometime during their second year. Many hospital residents and practicing physicians now use PDAs on a routine basis as an important resource for class schedules, patient care information and for data management and reference.

More information is available in the Mobile Computing Information Handout.
If you have questions about purchasing a PDA, or what software is available, please contact Adrian Gay.
For additional information about mobile devices and apps, see our mobiles portal.

Recommended Software

Below is a list of recommended software, some of it will be an important part of your clinical years and used frequently, others will be reference, calculators, schedules, etc.

EpocratesRx (Free Version)
Free mobile drug and formulary reference. Available for Palm, iPhone, Win Mobile, BlackBerry and Android.
EpocratesEssentials
Integrated drug, disease, and diagnostic suite for mobile devices. Available for Palm, iPhone, Win Mobile, and BlackBerry.
Essential Evidence Plus for PDA
A powerful electronic resource packed with all of the medical evidence you need to make critical patient care decisions. Essential Evidence Plus features must-have content, tools, calculators, and daily email alerts for clinicians who deliver first-contact care. Available for Palm and Pocket PC.
Thompson Clinical Xpert (Micromedex)
Evidence-based decision support tools for the Palm and Pocket PC.

Recommended Devices

iPod Touch (4th gen.)
iPodTouch4g

iPhone 4 (or newer)
iPhone4+

iPad (any)
iPad

The SMPH recommends and supports iOS ( iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) devices.

Many of the medical programs needed are also available for Google Android, BlackBerry & Windows Mobile platforms.

SMPH Security Guidelines

In the interests of adhering to HIPAA rules, if you use your PDA to keep track of patient information you are expected to password protect your device. Password protection can be accessed through the preferences icon on your Palm®.
Password protection should always be active and set for 5 minutes or less. Your PDA should be set to turn off automatically within three minutes or less.
Synchronization of sensitive PDA Information with home computers. Please be cognizant when synchronizing patient and staff-related data on home computers.
Home Cable, DSL, and/or LAN users should have a Firewall security protection installed on their home computers.
Home computer users who have sensitive data on their PDAs are responsible for ensuring that the data is secure. Transfer of a home computer or PDA to another person necessitates erasing of all patient and staff-related data.

Printing

Print Cards

Printing requires a debit/copy card or a Wiscard Print Account
Card vending units are located in the copy centers. Initial card cost is $1.00 ($0.25 for card w/$0.75 toward printing)
Money can be added to Wiscard Print Account online

Black/White Printing

Rate is $.07 per page.
Each computer is connected to a black & white print release station - your print job corresponds to the number on the front of your computer.

Color Printing

Rate is $.50 per page.
Print jobs are sent to the color print release station which is then taken care from the Service Desk.

Wireless Printing

Getting Started

Mac OS 10.5

Windows Vista

Windows XP

printer	location	server name	queue name	uname/pword
Service Desk A BW	entry level	\\libgoprint.library.wisc.edu	EHSL-A-HP4350N	libprint\pr1nt.m3
Service Desk B B W	entry level	\\libgoprint.library.wisc.edu	EHSL-B-HP4350N	libprint\pr1nt.m3
InfoCommons BW	entry level	\\goprint.doit.wisc.edu	B&W_Queue_HSLC	labprint\pr1ntStuff
InfoCommons C O L O R	entry level	\\goprint.doit.wisc.edu	Color_Queue_HSLC	labprint\pr1ntStuff
3rd Floor BW	upper level	\\libgoprint.library.wisc.edu	EHSL3RD_HP4100N	libprint\pr1nt.m3

Medical School Printing

This service is only available to the following students:

Medical Students (years 1-4)
Physicians Assistant (years 1-2)
Physical Therapy (years 1-2)

You must first set up your account (stop by service desk)
Access printing menu from desktop shortcut on InfoCommons workstations (NOT available from public workstations)
500 page quota per fall & spring semesters
250 page quota summer semester

Photocopying

There are four copy centers spread throughout the library. Each copy center is equipped with a copy machine and First Floor Copy Center a scanner.

Rate: $.10 per page. You may use a copy/print debit card at any of the copy centers in Ebling. There is one coin operated copier located on each floor of the library.
Color Copies: Copy center copiers are b/w only. If you need a specific image from a journal printed in color, ask the staff at the service desk for help. Rate is $.50 per page.
Larger formats: If you need to copy onto 11X14 or 11X17 size paper, ask staff for assistance.

Document Scanning

Scan and email articles or pages from books to your email account as a pdf document. This is a free service.

Copy Center Scanners

Each of the 4 copy centers in the library is equipped with a scanner (no color in 3110A).

Collaborative (Triplex Desks) Scanners

4 - Epson V500 flat bed scanners.
These will scan in color, allow changes in resolution, and save in various file formats (.bmp, .tiff, .jpeg, .pdf, etc.)

Help & Tips

Step-by-Step Instructionsare located above each scanner in the copy centers.
Use a wisc.edu email account if possible. Other accounts such as hotmail have storage problems with large PDF files.
Break a large number of originals into separate scan jobs so your files are not too large to open.
Check your email before you leave to see if the scan is there. Lost scans are NOT recoverable!

Fax Service

Have something to fax? Let us send it for you!

There is no charge for the fax transmission service
Service is available for sending only
We can fax items nationwide only (sorry, no international faxes)
Please inquire at the Ebling Library Service desk

Group Study Rooms

16 rooms located on 3rd Floor are available for group study.

7 of the rooms are available by reservation (5 with LCD screen)
view room info | reserve a room
9 of the rooms are walk-in availability (5 with LCD screen)