"Today it is hard to imagine the world without cell phones, PDAs and other small gadgets which add more convenience to our lives and the way we do business. All these wireless devices are becoming a greater part of our world. The question remains: should we deploy these bells and whistles in the Library, and if yes, then how?" Alex Rudshteyn, Associate Director for Library Systems
We have purchased wireless capability for the new Library using building contingency funds. Mark Gold has ordered equipment for us using Student Technology Fee funds. In short, we are well on our way toward making our wired Library wireless. This will be a high-priority project, once the equipment arrives.
As we have spoken with people at home and abroad about the new Library building, many have asked us why we did not elect to go completely wireless. In fact, we are very proud of the enormous hard-wired technological footprint the new building possesses. As we explain, wireless will always be slower than wired. And, developers of new software will always design for the faster, wired environment. Thus, to meet everyone's needs, our building is both wired, and wireless.
"Just a few years ago the future of wireless technology and mobile computing in the Library setting was not so clear and its business value has been poorly understood. Today there is no need to describe the importance of wireless networking. Everyone understands its benefits. As with any leading-edge (bleeding-edge) technology, wireless will mature and evolve. To expand its capability and meet the needs of our students and faculty, the Library Systems unit is exploring hardware, software, and other approaches to accommodate the growing population of PDA and pocket PC's users." Alex Rudshteyn, Associate Director for Library Systems