Hi everyone -
Just a quick note that it appears that wifi internet access is
coming to many public libraries here in the Washington DC-area. A
question I sent to the Montgomery County Libraries indicates that
they'll be installing wifi at all libraries before the end of
2005. (See below.)
In some cases the wifi extends to the meeting room within the
library. In some cases the wifi doesn't. Considering the usefulness
of having wifi in a meeting room, I'd say it's just a matter of
time before all library meeting rooms have wifi, too.
Do keep in mind that these kinds of wifi services are
unencrypted, so it's advisable not to use your credit card to
purchase items on the web when using such services. And you
should use a secure login for your webmail when using such
services.
I've tried videoconferencing with iChat using wifi at a public
library and was unable to get that to work. Longer term, it would
be a good idea for public libraries to have personal computer
videoconferencing capabilities in meeting rooms. Why? Because
there's so much people need to learn from each other, and
knowledge is spread out in diverse geographical areas.
Such videoconferencing capabilities might be set up using a
separate cable modem (or DSL) account for the meeting room(s) at
the library. Where would funding come for that? From use fees.
Libraries tend to be adamant about not charging use fees. If that
means our libraries give our communities less of what we need, does
that make a lot sense? Use fees are fine with me, so long as the
library makes accomodation to waive the fee on occasion.
We also need to find ways to keep our libraries open more hours.
I'd like to see an outside entrance door for every meeting room,
so that the meeting rooms would be available 7 days a week --
regardless of whether the library is open or not. Architects
designing new libraries need to include that in their design.
Phil Shapiro
Dear Mr. Shapiro:
This is a reply from AskALibrarian to your recent email question noted
below.
WWI-FI is available at the Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Silver
Spring,
and Wheaton Libraries. The service will be added at other MCPL branches
during
the winter and spring of 2005.
This information is from our Homepage. When additional libraries install
WWI-FI, this page will be updated.
From our Homepage CLICK on Collections and Services
CLICK on Internet and PC Use...
CLICK on Wireless Internet Access
CLICK on Frequently Asked Questions.
I hope you find this information to be helpful.
Thank you for using AskALibrarian Telephone Reference 240-777-0001
--
Phil Shapiro [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.his.com/pshapiro/ (personal)
http://teachme.blogspot.com (weblog)
http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/pshapiro (technology access work)
http://mytvstation.blogspot.com/ (video and rich media)
"There's just so much more creativity and genius out there than
our media currently reflect." FCC Commissioner Michael Copps
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