LSTA Wireless Internet mini-grant

While details of the final project changed as better technology presented itself, this is a successful application I wrote for a LSTA grant to provide wireless Internet to our library.

Activities

Activities to be undertaken in this grant

General information: The aim of this project is to extend our existing computer network via wireless technology to provide Internet and network access to patrons, visitors and staff throughout our library.

We also plan to extend the capabilities of our existing wireless laptop-teaching lab by utilizing a wireless print server to provide on-location printing during classes.

To provide wireless access throughout our library we will install five wireless 802.11g access points, which we will plug into our existing wired T-1 Ethernet network. The six units are required due to the steel beam construction in the main structure of our library. We mapped out the access point locations to provide at least fair wireless coverage throughout the library.

The second phase of the project will entail “unwiring” our public access and OPAC computers using PCI wireless network cards. This in turn will give us the freedom to rearrange our crowded library for its most efficient use. Similarly, there is office space in our library we are unable to wire due to inordinate costs. Wireless networking will allow us to better use this space as well.

We will also purchase a wireless printing server in order to create a mobile printer to compliment our existing laptop lab and provide printing services in the extremities of our library.

Security: Access to the wireless network will be open to all patrons, staff and visitors.

We plan to utilize software that requires users to login once they access our network. With a minimum of intrusion, this sign-on process will allow us to communicate our Internet user policy and track users for statistical and troubleshooting purposes.

We will likely use an open-source Linux package called “NetReg.” Hanover College utilizes this system and its expertise will be available to help implement the program.

Our network is currently protected by a firewall, but prior to offering wireless to the public we plan to audit our network and implement any additional measures necessary to insure the network, our web server and our library computers are secure.

Additional services: For users comfortable with installing driver software on their laptops, we can also provide printing and wireless network adapters. After signing a waiver, we will make the driver software available by CD for the cost of the CD. If they are not comfortable with installing the software, we will encourage the user to either use our public access computers or to contact a local computer expert for assistance with installation.

Printing would then be through our network laser printer, which currently serves our public access computers. We also will purchase a combination of wireless PC cards and USB adaptors for laptop owners who do not already have wireless capabilities. In subsequent budgets, we plan to allot library funds for the purchase of laptop computers for use by patrons in our library.

Promotion and support: We plan to extensively promote the hotspot, as this is a new service to the community. There are currently no public hot spots in our county. Once users are made aware of the service, support will be needed to grant the largest benefit to the community.

The major means of support will be through the publication of “cheat sheets” – simple, step-by-step guides on how to take best advantage of the wireless network for various devices. The first ones will be for PC and Mac laptops. Linux and PDA devices will follow.

We will also provide some one-on-one technical assistance to patrons on an appointment-only basis. However, due to liability, we will not install software or hardware into patron’s personal computers.

Project participants

Cooperating in the planning and implementation of this project are the following people and groups.

• Jerry Yarnetsky, reference and technology assistant, Madison-Jefferson County Public Library. Mr. Yarnetsky is responsible for coordination of public access computing at the library.
• John Collins, chief technology officer at Hanover College, Hanover, Indiana. Mr. Collins is assisting in the planning process. He is also a member of the Jefferson County Information Technology Infrastructure Task Force.
• Donna Errett, assistant director, Madison-Jefferson County Public Library, administrator in charge of grant management at the library.
• Jefferson County Information Technology Infrastructure Task Force. This group is responsible for finding ways to extend affordable broadband Internet and other technologies throughout the county. We are cooperating with this task force to accomplish its aims. This group has identified community hot spots as a priority.

Needs Assessment

Current wireless use

Our library currently operates a mobile laptop lab. We utilize the equipment for regular computer and information literacy classes in the library. This year we will also be offering classes with the lab at La Casa Amiga, a Latino community center located here in Madison, Indiana. We plan to expand this outreach to other locations in our county as well.

The lab consists of the following equipment:

• 11 laptops, 10 students and one teacher computer. Each has a wireless card built in.
• A wireless access point that we plug into our existing T-1 wired library network during class times. We plug it into a DSL modem at La Casa Amiga.
• A digital projector for on-screen demonstrations.

We will use the wireless print server with this lab to provide on-site printing.

Without a wireless system we will be unable to offer these classes in our library, as we do not have room for a dedicated computer lab. Similarly, our public access computers are very busy during all hours of our operation.

The great success of this lab and the ease with which we were able to connect it to our existing network has encouraged us to extend wireless to the rest of our library.

Need for wireless network extension

The concept of extending our existing wired network came through the following needs:

Library layout: Our library is crowded and we desire to rearrange our space to maximize its use. However, we are prevented from doing so by our existing wired network.

For example, our current public access computers are located in our main reading room. We plan to rearrange our reading room to accomplish three things:

• Better placement of our reference desk
• A more comfortable reading area for patrons
• More space to showcase new materials and special displays.

However, because of the computers are hard wired to the network we are stuck with a large portion of our current layout, as any cables must run through nine inches of concrete.

Going wireless will allow better organization of this space and other areas of the library. We will be hiring a space consultant within the next 18 months. The ability to move computers and office space at will would be a plus toward accomplishing a layout that will best serve our patrons into the future. This will be accomplished through the installation of wireless network PCI cards into the desktop units.

There are also several underutilized areas in the library, such as our audio-visual office. The original library was a 19th century three-story house. A large two-story addition was completed in 1967. The underutilized areas stem from how the two structures were joined.

We would like to use computers in these areas, but extending our network would require extensive and expensive wiring work. Implementing wi-fi will provide a reasonably priced and efficient solution to this problem.

Better access to materials: The reading room public access computers are not located near our print materials. It would be ideal to give computer users Internet and printing accessibility as close as possible to our print materials. This would be a boon to researchers and students. Similarly, the computer tables have no room for spreading out research materials.

Patron demand: From the patron side of the equation, our current public access computers receive heavy use. We average more than 1,400 users per month on our nine computers. Providing wireless access could help ease demand without having to setup more desktop computers in our cramped reading room.

For wireless use specifically, numerous laptop computer users over the past year have requested access to our network. Because we have no free hookups to our network in patron areas we have been unable to fulfill their requests. These request often come from visitors, businesspersons and students doing research in our reference and genealogy sections.

Our library is located in one of the country’s largest historic districts and as a result is a heritage tourism destination. Many visitors come to our library desiring to access to our Internet, genealogy and local history resources. There are also numerous seasonal festivals and sporting events in Madison that attract tens of thousands of visitors. Mr. Collins reported that organizers of the annual hydroplane races received several requests for wireless access last summer.

We also have had organizations and businesses request Internet connections to make presentations in our auditorium. So far we have been able to accommodate this need only by running a very long Ethernet cable across our auditorium. Again, wireless will be a more efficient, and safer, solution.

Finally, the Jefferson County Information Technology Infrastructure Task Force has identified public wireless access as a priority in its planning process. Mr. Collins said task force members have reported numerous requests for wireless service, but that none exists in our county.

Evaluation

Outcomes desired

Closer proximity to materials will allow students and businessperson more time for research and analysis, thus better results in their projects.

Enhanced service provided to local patrons and to out-of-town visitors communicates the library’s desire to serve and benefit the community resulting in increased public use and support of the library.

With access to our catalog and Internet resources throughout in the library, staff will provide better and quicker service, in turn increasing patron access to our collections.

Wireless print capability used in conjunction with our existing mobile laptop lab makes possible an enriched curriculum of program activities at La Casa Amiga community center. Latinos settling here will become more comfortable in our community and be better able to communicate with neighbors and employers. Information and technology literacy will also increase which objectives as listed in our library’s long-range plan.

Establishment of a broadband hotspot demonstrates the library’s partnership with and advances the goals of the Jefferson County Information Technology Infrastructure Task Force, a city-county collaboration of community, education, business and local government.

The ability to use wireless for special programs, through programs such as scavenger hunts and Internet coffeehouse for young adults, will increase information literacy.

Evaluation methods

Surveys: We plan to survey wireless users both inside the library and in the community about how they are using the wireless access and how it impacts their activities. We will ask users to fill out surveys when registering for access to the network. We will also approach laptop users in the library, participants in programs that use wireless access and organizations doing presentations in our auditorium. Further studies will attempt to reach visitors to our community.

Utilizing data: We also plan to utilize data from our system logs to determine whether offering wireless improves access to the Internet over our existing public access computers. Similarly, we will analyze our space usage in the library to determine whether we gain better use of our space and offer more amenities to our patrons.

Awareness

We believe the first groups to take advantage of the service will be technologically savvy and underserved by libraries in general—specifically young adults and the business community. We also have a growing community of upscale retirees who are not afraid to experiment with technology.

To promote awareness in the community, we will utilize several methods of communication. Some are traditional, but others will be aimed at the above populations.

• Posting the information in our bimonthly newsletter to patrons.
• Post promotional material and “cheat sheets” on our library website.
• Broadcast faxes to members of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.
• Distribute brochures and posters in our library, local high schools, Ivy Tech and Hanover College.
• Network to take advantage of addition promotional opportunities with the Jefferson County Information Technology Task Force.
• Distribute brochures and posters to area businesses, such as super markets, and the Madison Visitors Center.
• Emails to our patrons informing them of the new service.
• Press releases and interviews with local media. We have very good relationships with the daily and monthly newspapers in the county as well as the two local radio stations.
• Signage on or near our entrances identifying the library as a limited access hot spot.

We also plan to have fun with the promotion. For instance, we can “warchalk” the sidewalks in front of our library. The chalked symbols indicate the availability of wireless access to passersby. The activity, adapted from the Depression-era practice of Hobos marking friendly homes, will provide the visuals required by the local press to gain better coverage. (www.warchalking.org)

Time Frame

Prior to the grant period: We plan to reassess our existing network security and implement any changes required to start wireless service to patrons. Work on promotional materials.

April 2004

• Install wireless access points.
• Train staff in the use and maintenance of the system.
• Fine tune wireless coverage area.

May 2004

• Install network registration software and hardware.
• Enlist beta-testers from the community to test the network.
• Implement wireless access to the AV office and other staff areas.
• Announce program to the community and start promotional activities.

June 2004

• Install PCI cards into public access computers.
• Enhance our computer classes and outreach program through the addition of the wireless print server to our mobile laptop lab.

July 2004

• Analyze program to specify needs for 2005 budget year.
• Start of library space use analysis.

September 2004

• Publicize service in area educational facilities.

January 2005 and beyond

• Purchase laptops with library funds for patron use.

Budget Narrative

General description of budget breakdown
LSTA funds will be used to purchase wireless access points, directional antennas, wireless adapters for public and staff computers, PCI cards for public access and staff computers, a wireless print server and the required cables and accessories. We will also use LSTA funds for professional services including the installation of wireless access points and setup of the NetReg system.

Madison-Jefferson County Public Library funds will be used to pay salaries and benefits for staff who will assist in the installation of wireless access points and who will install the PCI cards. Our funds will also be used for training of staff, promotion of the service to the public and continued system maintenance. The library will also provide two computers for the system’s operation and network registration and the printer for the mobile laptop lab.

List of equipment from budget sheet line 4

Item	Unit Cost	Quantity	Total
Wireless access points	$350	6	$2,100
Wireless adapter cards	$80	6	$480
Wireless PCI cards	$80	30	$2,400
Wireless directional antennas	$50	3	$150
Wireless print server	$200	1	$200
Project Total	_	_	$5,330