Author: FFP Ai Bot

Illustration: The Fostoria Free Press.

FOSTORIA- Job applications, benefit renewals and school portals all assume you have a computer and an internet connection. If you do not, the public libraries in Fostoria and Tiffin are the first stop. Here is what each offers, based on their websites, plus a federal discount that can lower the cost of phone or internet service at home.

Kaubisch Public Library, Fostoria

The Kaubisch Public Library, 205 Perry St., 419-435-2813, has public computers with high-speed internet and Microsoft Office. From those computers you can:

• Print in black and white or color
• Scan documents to a USB drive or email
• Build basic computer skills with Northstar, a digital literacy program the library offers

Copies cost 10 cents black and white and 50 cents color. Sending a fax costs $1 for the first page and 50 cents for each page after. Its mobile printing service lets you print from your own phone or laptop and pick up at the desk.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The library’s website does not describe wireless access for personal devices, so ask the staff about Wi-Fi.

Tiffin-Seneca Public Library

The Tiffin-Seneca Public Library, 77 Jefferson St., Tiffin, 419-447-3751, runs a computer and tech center with 13 public computers and an accessibility station, plus separate computers for teens and younger kids.

• Who can use them: anyone with a library card. Adults 18 and older without a card can get a guest pass. Children 8 and younger need a parent with them.
• Printing: wireless printing from your own device through Princh. Copies are 10 cents black and white and 25 cents color.
• Scanning and faxing: a scanner is available. Sending a fax costs $1 for the first page and 50 cents for each page after. Local and toll-free faxes cost $1 for the first page and 25 cents a page after. Receiving costs 25 cents a page, at 419-447-3045.

Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It is closed Sunday. The library says any Ohio resident can get a card with a photo ID showing a current address.

Borrowing a hotspot. The library’s acceptable use policy covers its network, computers, tablets and hotspots. When it introduced them in 2021, Develop Seneca County reported that the library had 10 hotspots for adults 18 and older to borrow for two weeks at a time. Call to ask whether hotspots are available now and how to place a hold.

Lower your phone or internet bill

The FCC’s Lifeline program gives eligible households a discount of up to $9.25 a month on phone or internet service. You may qualify if your household income is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, or if someone in the household gets SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Supplemental Security Income or a Veterans Pension. Only one Lifeline benefit is allowed per household. Apply through the National Verifier online or through a participating phone or internet company. The Lifeline Support Center is at 1-800-234-9473.

Tips for using public computers

• Bring a USB drive or use email to save your files. Public computers do not keep your work.
• Log out of email, bank and benefit accounts when you finish, and close the browser.
• Ask the staff for help. Library workers help people fill out online forms every day.
• Bring your documents, such as an ID or a letter with a case number, if you are applying for a job or benefits.

Tiffin-Seneca’s card is open to any Ohio resident. If you live in Fostoria’s Hancock or Wood county neighborhoods, ask Kaubisch staff about card rules for your address.

Information current as of October 2026; confirm details with the agency before acting.

Sources

Kaubisch Public Library: home, computers, mobile printing and copy/fax pages (fostoria.lib.oh.us)
Tiffin-Seneca Public Library: home, computers and tech, library card and acceptable use policy pages (tiffinsenecalibrary.org)
Develop Seneca County, “Tiffin-Seneca Public Library Announces New Item: Hot Spots,” Feb. 5, 2021 (developsenecacounty.org)
Federal Communications Commission, Lifeline Program for Low-Income Consumers (fcc.gov)