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Technology at the Library

Wireless printing at your library

Print wirelessly to your local library!

Wireless printing is available for all library cardholders. Send a print job from your laptop or desktop computer at home, or from your mobile device while visiting one of our locations. Select your device and OS below for instructions.

What do I need to get started?

Choose your device

Print from a PC or laptop computer

You can send print jobs from a laptop or desktop computer from home, or from your laptop at any of our locations.

  • Save the file you want to print to your computer. To print a page from the web, select Print and when asked to choose a printer, choose Save as PDF.
  • From a browser, go to the SmartAlec Wireless Printing Login.
    • If this is your first time using the SmartAlec Wireless Printing: Click on the First Time User link.
      • If you are a Fairfax County Library cardholder, delete the entries in the Card# and PIN fields and replace with your own library card number and PIN.
      • To print as a guest, use the default card number and PIN provided. Enter your email address or phone number to have the guest card number and PIN sent to you.
    • Select Submit to continue.
  • After logging in, choose the file from your computer that you want to print using the Browse and Upload buttons.
    • When your document successfully uploads, it will appear in a list below the Browse and Upload buttons.
  • Visit any Fairfax County Library to release your print job. You can search under Libraries Nearby in the SmartAlec Print app to find one near you.

Print from an iPhone/iPad

You can only send a print job from a mobile device if you are in a Fairfax County Library and connected to their wireless network. Connecting to the wireless network is free and does not require a password.

  • From a browser, go to the SmartAlec Wireless Printing Login.
  • If this is your first time using the SmartAlec Wireless Printing: Click on the First Time User link.
    • If you are a Fairfax County Library cardholder, delete the entries in the Card# and PIN fields and replace with your own library card number and PIN.
    • To print as a guest, use the default card number and PIN provided. Enter your email address or phone number to have the guest card number and PIN sent to you.
  • Select Submit to continue.
  • Download the SmartAlec Print app from the App store and login to your account.
  • Open the document you need to print and locate the Share icon, then choose Print.
  • While previewing the item to print, zoom out with your fingers to convert it to a PDF document. Then select the Share icon again and select the SmartAlec Print app.
    • If SmartAlec does not appear as an option, click the More button and turn on SmartAlec.
    • Some apps have a Print button and no Share option. You may have to explore menus to find what you need. If you need further assistance, please watch this helpful YouTube video.
  • When your print job uploads, you will see it in the SmartAlec Print App.
  • Visit any Fairfax County Library to release your print job from one of our print kiosks. You can search under Libraries Nearby in the SmartAlec Print app to find one near you.

Print from an Android tablet or phone

You can only send a print job from a mobile device if you are in a Fairfax County Library and connected to their wireless network. Connecting to the wireless network is free and does not require a password.

  • From a browser, go to the SmartAlec Wireless Printing Login.
  • If this is your first time using the SmartAlec Wireless Printing: Click on the First Time User link.
    • If you are a Fairfax County Library cardholder, delete the entries in the Card# and PIN fields and replace with your own library card number and PIN.
    • To print as a guest, use the default card number and PIN provided. Enter your email address or phone number to have the guest card number and PIN sent to you.
  • Select Submit to continue.
  • Download the SmartAlec Print app from the Google Play store and login to your account.
  • Open the document you need to print and tap Menu, then choose Print and choose SmartAlecPrinter.
  • When your print job uploads, you will see it in the SmartAlec Print app.
  • Visit any Fairfax County Library to release your print job. You can search under Libraries Nearby in the SmartAlec Print app to find one near you.

Troubleshooting

I’m not sure what my account PIN is, or my PIN isn’t working.

Reset your PIN online here or ask a librarian for help if you are in one of our library locations.

I can't send a print job from my mobile device.

You can send a print job from home on your desktop or laptop computer. You can only send a print job from a mobile device if you are in a Fairfax County Library and connected to their wireless network. Then you may visit the Print Station to release your job.

I don’t see my document in the Print Station queue.

Documents can sometimes take up to five minutes to appear at the Print Station—check again in a few minutes.

I’m still having trouble with mobile printing, or I have another question.

Library staff are here for you! Please call us at 703-324-3100, or visit the information desk at any of our locations.

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