The atmosphere and location might have changed, but the services offered in Palo Alto’s Mega Lab are still the same.

On the second day of the Spring 2005 semester, the Mega Lab began operating in its new location. The lab, originally housed on the first floor of the Ozuna Learning Resource Center has now become part of the Information Concourse, located on the second floor of the library.

Dr. Ana “Cha” Guzmán, president of Palo Alto, said the lab moved for a couple of reasons. One was to expand the Information Concourse the way it was intended to be, a complete computer lab. The other was to lease the space downstairs to the soon-to-be Toyota Manufaturing Plant.

“First, it’s good practice to work with the largest employer on the South Side. Second, it’s going to bring all kinds of people that have never been on campus,” she said.

Previous services offered before are still accessible, including computers,scanners,printers, software and Internet access.

In case of overflow, there is Room 200, located on the second floor of the library. It is available only on Friday afternoons with access to 30 computers. Thomas Duncan, LRC computer coordinator, said laptops are a new service and can only be checked out if there are no computers available in the lab.

“The plan is if...the concourse [is] totally full [with] people waiting to use computers, then we will check out the laptops,” he said. “ They’ll need to leave some type of driver’s license and sign a contract.” According to Duncan, there are 68 computers, 15 laptops, two scanners and two printers.

“The only problem that students kind of complain about is the long wait time to get your printouts,” said Joseph Alvarez, a sophomore work-study student for the LRC.

Students are allowed to print the first 25 pages for free, with a cost of 10 cents for each additional page. Students also need to save their work on a storage unit, such as a floppy disk, in order to print their material.

“We don’t allow any saving of documents or work on the actual machines themselves…not only for keeping the machines from getting crowded with so much stuff, but also to prevent people from leaving personal information behind,” said Duncan.

There are also two designated computers for students with disabilities and a separate computer lab on the first floor for children under 14 years of age.

Work-study students, reference librarians and the LRC computer coordinator working in the lab can assist with any questions they may have.

“There are more people to help the students because the two staffs have combined,” said Guzmán. “I think it’s a win-win.”

The lab is available for students of Palo Alto, Texas A&M, sister Alamo Community District colleges and the public. Hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday; and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday.