"To expand Internet service for readers with laptops or PDAs equipped for wireless networking, a number of BC wireless 'hot spots' were added in the Library. This was a joint AIT/ITS venture. First the needs of the Library were assessed, to ensure that all areas would be covered by the new Wi-Fi network. After the numbers and locations of access points were determined, Library Systems staff helped ITS run the wiring. Many thanks to David Best and his staff for their help and support. Today, all areas of the Library except the stacks offer wireless access." Alex Rudshteyn, Associate Director for Library Systems & Networking
A special Web page http://ait.brooklyn.cuny.edu/wireless/index.htm provides information about hot spot locations, as do posters located on every floor of the Library. Although there are detailed instructions on the Web about how to configure a laptop for wireless use, to smooth the configuration process AIT staff offer help with both PCs and PDAs. In the Library Cafe alone, evening and weekend supervisor Larry Albrecht performs about 100 configurations each month. This summer, AIT staff will produce a handout with configuration instructions.
A related 2004-2005 activity involved establishing beaming stations throughout the Library, enabling readers with handhelds (or cell phones with IR ports) to download citations and other information from the Internet to their PDAs. Students can literally substitute their PDAs/cell phones for printer paper; later on, they can transfer relevant citations from their handhelds to the bibliography of a paper they may be writing. Downloads also include maps of the Library stacks, with the location of the item in question highlighted. This highly innovative project has been accepted as an EDUCAUSE 2005 presentation.