When libraries decide they can use wifi for public applications other than internet access is when they'll deploy it... in many cases things like card catalogs and liscensed refernce materials are based on proprietary systems but would be far more useful, if joe user can access them from where-ever they happen to be in a the library. In our university library I find my laptop to be the most useful reference and search tool I have, in part because many of our reference materials are already online.
joelja On Mon, 4 Aug 2003, Jerry Asher wrote: > I visit libraries and invariably find a dozen or more computers at each, > some devoted to CDs, and some to a limited amount of Internet access. And > I realize that obviously these libraries are paying a substantial amount > in upfront costs and yearly maintentance to provide computer and Internet > access. > > And it seems a no brainer to me that public libraries should implement > public wifi spots but when I speak to various librarians they all seem to > feel that it would serve very few people, cost a lot, and compete with > other costs at the library. > > I would like to put together a compelling argument for libaries to support > wifi and am asking your help. What arguments would appeal to a public > libary? > > I am also trying to understand what the actual costs are. It's certainly > the case that an inexpensive wireless router can be purchased for about > $50.00. But I believe a knowledgeable library IT department might be > concerned with preventing users from using the wireless access to spam or > attack others, from preventing users from hacking the library itself, and > for providing a reasonable upgradea and compatibility path. > > Assuming a library already has access to a DSL link, or T-1, what hardware > and software does a library realistically need to support wireless users? > (I would love specific examples and network descriptions.) > > Here's my argument in favor of public library support of wifi. > > 1) Wifi support is cheap: For a small initial investment of about $100, > and almost no annual maintenance, each WAP could easily support > from 8 to 32 users -- probably doubling or quadrupling the current > number of users. > > 2) Wifi demand is big and increasing: laptops now sell more per > year than desktops -- more and more, significant numbers of > library users will have laptops that have wireless capabilities. > > Some schools are even providing students with individual laptops. > > 3) Wifi helps bridge a digital divide: libraries with limited > internet terminals often constrain users to 15 minute to 1 hour > use. Wifi would enable these users to use the internet as their > needs actually demand and not as the library resources dictate. > > 4) Wifi will bring more people to the library. Given a choice between > expensive coffeehouse access and free library access, more users > will choose the library. This will enable the libary > to better fulfill its mission of providing resources to the public. > This should be reflected in justification for larger budgets > and even in public sentiment towards funding. > > What are other winning arguments? BTW, I have visited a couple of > websites devoted to these issues, but sadly most of these sites don't > provide hardware, software, or networking examples, and most of these > sites were lat changed years ago. > > Thanks, > > Jerry Asher > > -- > general wireless list, a bawug thing <http://www.bawug.org/> > [un]subscribe: http://lists.bawug.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless > -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joel Jaeggli Academic User Services [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- PGP Key Fingerprint: 1DE9 8FCA 51FB 4195 B42A 9C32 A30D 121E -- In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of the scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit that it is the first. -- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary" -- general wireless list, a bawug thing <http://www.bawug.org/> [un]subscribe: http://lists.bawug.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless
