C.H. Booth Library

Goes Wireless

By Nancy K. Crevier

“It’s a truly historic moment,” said Director of the CH Booth Library Janet Woycik on Monday, January 9, as Brenda McKinley, systems librarian at Booth, activated the wireless network at the Main Street building.

 “Finally,” said Ms McKinley, “we can say, ‘Yes!’ when someone comes in and asks if we have wireless capacity. It’s very exciting.”

The C.H. Booth Library wireless network provides cable broadband high-speed Internet access. Wireless capacity means that patrons can now bring their own PDAs (personal digital assistants), computers, or other devices into the library and have free Internet access. “[Patrons] are working on their own device,” Ms McKinley explained. “A business person or college student can come and work here on their own computer.”

“Everything is finally in place,” said Ms Woycik, who has worked to bring wireless Internet access to the library for nearly two years. “[Library patrons] no longer have to download information from our computer to their own.”

Prior to Monday, library patrons had a choice of ten hardwired computers on the reference floor, four in the young adult section on the second floor, or two computers in the children’s section to access the Internet. Not infrequently, every single computer was in use. Now that the library is a “hot spot,” laptop users can find any nook or cranny in and around the library to settle into and work.

The signal from Charter Cable radiates throughout the library and the surrounding grounds via four access points located in the library. Aside from the vault area, Ms Woycik said she doubted there were many other spots in the whole building that would not be accessible to the signal. Should there be gaps, the library is equipped to add two additional access points. In pleasant weather, wireless access at the Booth Library means that the day can be enjoyed outdoors in the side garden. Wireless connection will be available 24/7, so it is conceivable to access the network from the parking lot after hours, as well.

The wireless connection is a separate network from the library network, Ms McKinley said. “It can’t affect the library network, because it is separate. It doesn’t change what we have. It just supplements our service.” Keeping the wireless network separate from the library network also affords the library greater security.

“There is no log-in,” she said. “There is no special library or bar code needed.” However, she cautioned, users must make sure they have installed a secure firewall in their device, and that their virus protection is up to date. “It’s an open network,” she said, meaning that the potential for anyone to “peek” into another’s personal data exists if proper security measures are not taken. The library is not responsible for the security of personal devices using the wireless connection.

For those users who desire a more secure connection than can be provided by an open network, but want to work on their own computer, two direct connections to the high speed cable connection are available in the third floor reference room, said Ms McKinley.

Finding the right provider and the right solution for the Booth Library to become a “hot spot” was a challenge and time consuming, Ms Woycik and Ms McKinley agreed. Funding the project was also a hurdle they needed to jump.

“We are so fortunate to have the Friends of the Library,” said Ms Woycik. “They paid for the installation of the equipment and for the wiring required to set us up.” Through money raised from the annual book sale, membership dues, and income from the Book Nook, said Friends of the C.H. Booth Library president Mary Maki, the Friends were able to donate the $5,000 needed. “We thought it was a valuable addition to the patron services the library offers.”

Wireless access will not benefit only the private patrons of the library. Ms Woycik is excited about the wider potential of the service. “It is great for the meeting room. People can bring their laptops to talks and type in information instead of trying to take notes. One of the nice things, too, is that [librarians] can bring lists on our laptops right into the stacks when we work.”

Visitors to the library who wish to access wireless connection to the Internet should familiarize themselves with the usage policy at Booth Library, recommends Ms McKinley. Anyone who uses the public wireless network is asked to abide by the policy, which can be viewed on the website www.biblio.org/chbooth. A detailed brochure explaining the usage policy, directions for configuring laptops for wireless access, Internet Explorer tips, and frequently asked questions is available on any floor of the C.H. Booth Library, and Ms McKinley advises any wireless user to take a few moments to peruse it.

Librarians will be available to answer questions concerning the wireless connection, although staff members do not offer personal instruction on computer use, said Ms McKinley. “It’s up to each person to know their own computer. Every one is a little different.”