Imagine
walking into almost any public library in South Jersey and finding a
free high-speed wireless Internet connection available for your use.
This vision is now a reality.
The
South Jersey Regional Library
Cooperative (SJRLC) announced today the availability of free
high-speed wireless Internet “hotspots” at 60 library locations across
South Jersey, with additional locations offering wireless access soon.
Funding for the wireless hotspots was provided by the South Jersey
Regional Library Cooperative and the New Jersey State Library, an
affiliate of Thomas Edison State College.
“This is a major benefit for South Jersey residents,” said Karen
Hyman, Executive Director of SJRLC. “Free wireless Internet access can
assist business professionals, students, travelers, or anyone else who
needs to do research, transfer files, or simply access their email.”
“We’re very excited about being able to offer this service to the
public.” says State Librarian Norma Blake. “You can just walk into the
library, open up your laptop and begin surfing the Web. It’s a natural
fit with public libraries’ mission of providing access to
information.”
Unlike wireless networks found in many coffee shops, airports and
hotels, there is no charge to access any of the libraries’ hotspots.
To take advantage of a library’s wireless hotspot, a customer only
needs a laptop or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) that has wireless
connectivity. Most laptops and PDAs are now shipped with wireless
functionality built in, while others can easily add wireless
capability by using an inexpensive adapter.
While libraries will continue to offer Internet access at library
computers, the wireless networks will also allow customers to use
their own laptops to access high speed Internet in the library -- very
convenient for those who have their business documents, research,
schoolwork, and email account settings saved on their own computers.
“The Internet has so much to offer in terms of education, research,
and exploration, yet not every one has high-speed access at home,”
states Peter Bromberg, Program Development Coordinator at SJRLC.
“Providing free high-speed access for the general public helps create
an environment that stimulates imagination, innovation, and learning.”
As portable computing devices like the laptops and PDAs increase in
popularity, the demand for wireless has become more common and library
customers have already begun to express their appreciation. “I
received a call from a customer last week who found our information on
the Web,” says Bromberg. “He does business around South Jersey, and he
was thrilled that he could use his PDA to access the Internet in so
many locations.” Another customer said, “Priceless, I mean it.
To have wireless Internet access is beautiful. Who ever made it
possible, please tell them thanks.”
For more information, and a listing of participating libraries, please
visit www.sjrlc.org/wireless.
See also:
Funding for
the wireless hotspots was provided by the
South Jersey Regional
Library Cooperative and the New
Jersey State Library, an affiliate of Thomas Edison State College.
