Printing at the Library

Black-and-white prints and copies cost 10¢ per printed side.
Color prints and copies cost 50¢ per printed side.

You can print your documents at the library from one of our public computers, or from your own device.

There are a few steps needed to get your account ready for printing.

Activate your card for printing

At a Henrico library, log in to a public computer using your library card to confirm and activate your PIN. This is the same PIN you use to log into My Account on the HCPL website. All you need to do is successfully log in; you can log out again right away.

Forgot your PIN? Try using the default “changeme” PIN. Still having trouble? A librarian can help you.

Register for online printing (optional)

SmartAlec allows you to upload documents from your own device for printing on any HCPL printer.

In a web browser, visit henricolibrary.org/smartalec.
Click Guest User.
Replace the temporary Card# and PIN with your own library card number and PIN.
Optional: enter your email address and/or phone number to receive confirmation notices.
Click Submit.

Add money to your account

You can add money for each print, or keep a balance for future printing.

Locate a Print Payment Station at your library.
Select Deposit to My Account.
Sign in using your library card number and PIN.
Insert cash in the cash receptor.
Click Finish when done. Your receipt will show the amount added and your total Printing account balance.

You can also add money to your account at the Checkout desk, and at some self-checkout machines.

1. Send your Documents

To print your document, you will send it to the Print Release Station at your library.

From an HCPL public computer

Locate and open the document to print.
Use the commands in the application to print your document.
Confirm your print in the “SAM” window. Your document will be uploaded to the Print Release Station near the printer at your library.

From your own device using online printing

In a web browser, visit henricolibrary.org/smartalec.
Log in using your library card number and PIN.
Under “Step 1” click Choose File.
Navigate to the file you wish to upload for printing. Click its filename, then click Open. The name of the document will appear next to the Choose File button.
Under “Step 2” click the Upload button. Your document will be uploaded and appear in the list of uploaded documents, and can be retrieved at a Print Release Station at any Henrico library.

2. Print Your Documents

At the Print Release Station you will pay for your prints and release them for printing.

Locate the Print Release Station. Sign in using your library card number and PIN.
The documents you have uploaded will be listed with the estimated cost for printing.
Select the document from the list that you wish to print.
Select the printer and printing mode you wish to use and click Continue.
The total cost to print and your Printing Account Balance are shown. Click Continue to confirm.
Your documents will print, and the cost will be deducted from your Printing Account.

Need more help? Ask a librarian at the information desk.

HCPL Computer & Internet Use Policy