Recently more and more public libraries are experimenting with hosting wireless internet for their patrons. Having grown up in the country (which is, unfortunately, where i reside once again), where local municipalities never seem to get around to laying cable tv/internet wires, i have been forced to do a great deal of my work in coffee shops and, more recently, in Wendy's. Those environments can become quite stifling when researching for a term paper, as you might imagine. Although i work at Barnes and Noble, their wireles internet is hosted by AT&T and is not free. McDonald's also charges for their wireless internet (though i can't imagine a time when i'd find myself in their establishment anyway).
Thus, i was very happy to discover a few local libraries that offer wireless internet freely. Brighton District Library and Howell Carnegie Library both offer free wireless internet and although wireless printing isn't yet available, both libraries graciously allow guests to login to their computers for printing. i suppose this isn't a very big deal for most people; what percentage of North Americans live in suburbia where cable internet and DSL is readily available? Yet, although many places in the U.S. and Canada now offer free internet (including, believe it or not, many gas stations where there is no place to sit with a laptop), many libraries are still very hesitant. i should think that Brighton and Howell libraries would be glad to have my patronage.
The Capital Area District Library is what i consider to be my home library. i grew up going to a library that was later incorporated into CADL. i worked as a page for CADL for four years there, and although i now have accounts at other libraries, whenever i log into the MelCat union catalog, I always request materials be sent to CADL for convenience sake. However, I'm beginning to wonder if i really want to continue this practice. Although CADL has received endowments from the Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation in the form of computers for local libraries, their policies concerning said computers use are quite stifling. Apart from having no wireless internet, computers are set to offer service in thirty minute blocks. i have found it quite difficult to edit my resume in thirty minutes, let alone compose cover letters and take blackboard quizzes in the time allowed.
In addition, many of these computers are overrun in the afternoons by junior high students, an environment not exactly conducive to research or study. I have nothing against the middle schoolers--they're there because they can be, they're just another kind of patron and i'm certain CADL is glad to have them. But computer use by said patrons has risen to the point where reservation computers are necessary to merely sign up for the next available computer. Also, no effort has been made to separate computers (i'm certain it's easier networking wise for them all to be in one location). To say the least, this system is difficult to contest with.
So my question is: why doesn't CADL offer wireless internet? There hasn't been any real documented evidence that radio frequency use has a direct relationship with brain cancer, although interestingly enough use of bluetooth headsets for cellphones has risen lately as well (and for anyone who's walked behind someone who's seemingly carrying on a conversation with herself until you spot the device at her ear, it can be quite distracting... but that's another topic altogether). Do libraries believe that by allowing patrons to use their own computers on their networks they will be unwittingly assisting hackers? This seems unlikely for two reasons: first, any library the size of CADL's thirteen branches has its own systems department, and obviously has the funds to run firewalls, as well as to track system tampering; second, wireless routers are almost always equipped with internal firewalls and an experienced user can readily block the necessary ports. i know because i've used the commercially available models and found it only takes a few minutes to secure them with WEP or WPA.
What troubles me is that with technology increasing to the point where some libraries exist completely in the digital realm, why would public libraries be hesitant to encourage patrons in bringing their own computers to the library? Obviously the half hour time limit is to provide that some patrons do not monopolize computer time, an expensive service for a public library if ever there was one. Are they also thinking perhaps that technology funds being what they are, public library computers can only really afford to undergo upgrades once a millage? If that's the case than the whole question of providing ANOTHER link to the internet for patrons is mute. After all, aren't libraries about books? Shouldn't library funds be allocated more to books and people than cyberspace considering how easy it is for the average patron to get internet at home? I'm playing devil's advocate obviously. After finishing my tour at library school i'm certain i'll have a far better idea why libraries choose to spend money on what they do... and probably an even greater sympathy for them than i already do.
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Being an ex-employee and current patron of CADL as well, I also find it frustrating that they do not offer wireless internet service. Have you ever talked to one of the "higher ups" and asked them why they don't provide that service? I know that I have talked with other peon clerks and assistants about the issue, but have never come to any conclusions. I, too, am sure that it comes down to money issues... but I would still like to hear their response. Maybe I should put it on my "to-do" list. If you get to it before I do, I would be interested to know what they say. I would also like to question them about some of their overdue charges and why it is that patrons can continue to use the computers when they owe more than $100 in fines. I guess what I am interested in is... who decides all of these policies and procedures and what gives those people the right to do so?
-Amber
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