Presentation at 2012 Iowa Library Association Annual Conference in Dubuque, Iowa. Sponsored by the Iowa Small Library Association.

1. Two Tin Cans, Without the
Wire: Wireless in the Library
Iowa Library Association
Annual Conference
October 12, 2012
Louise E. Alcorn
Reference Technology Librarian
West Des Moines (Iowa) Public Library

2. My assumptions about you
Your library has wireless Internet access, or
soon will.
You have at least a rough idea of how your
wireless network is (or will be) set up.
You may already be dealing with questions from
patrons about wanting wireless Internet.
You may be wondering why you should offer
wireless Internet access.
You want to do it right and you have questions.

3. Your Fast and Furious Wireless Tour!
On Today‟s Tour
 Why Go Wireless?
 What your staff/patrons need to know
 Quick troubleshooting tips
 Some ideas about communicating the above
 A little bit on security
 A smidgen on wireless printing
 Marketing your wireless service
 Policy and (some) legal issues related to wireless
Time for your questions

4. Why Go Wireless?
Students, self-employed, job-seekers
Municipal Wi-Fi
Additional Access Needed
Older Building
Newer Building
RAGBRAI
The Board/Council/Dean Is Asking
The Best Reason to Go Wireless:
Because your patrons are asking for it

5. Advantages of Wireless
Flexibility
Patrons can use their own equipment
Takes a load off your public computers, freeing
them for other uses
Allows for many of the traditional security
features (firewall, anti-virus, etc.)
Extend access without expensive cabling.
Increasingly, it‟s the only access for some
devices.

6. Idea: Show Staff How It Works
Adapted with permission from: Wireless Networking: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians by Louise Alcorn and
Maryellen Mott Allen. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2006.

7. What Staff Need To Know: Basics
Transmission and Interference Issues
“Two Tin Cans and a String…Without the String”
Have them try it themselves with a laptop
Basic Troubleshooting – FAQ – can they:
Turn AP‟s off/on to reset service?
Touch patron laptops to help with
troubleshooting? (policy issue)
They can always make suggestions:
• better „hotspots‟ in building
• “is your wireless card turned on?”

8. Troubleshooting Basics :
Wireless Card Not On
Do you see the wireless icon in system tray?
If not, look for the wireless symbol on their keyboard –
it may be Function (Fn) – F2 key or a similar
combination to turn it on.
Once on, wireless icon should show in system tray.

9. Troubleshooting Basics :
Finding SSID in list
Finding the library‟s Wi-Fi signal (SSID) in
wireless networks list –
Connect/Disconnect button

10. Troubleshooting Basics :
Wireless on non-PC systems
You may want to
familiarize yourself with
how wi-fi setups and
settings look on Macs.
*Although the settings are
located differently, the
basic functions are the
same – find the SSID,
connect to it automatically.

11. Troubleshooting Basics : Other
Devices

12. Idea: HotSpot and/or Electrical Map
From www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/services/wireless.html

13. http://c3h.wikispaces.com/file/view/C3HNetwork1Q2008a.jpg/33138401/C3HNetwork1Q2008a.jpg

14. http://assets.nwciowa.edu/nwciowa/images/maps/nwc_wifi_map.gif

15. What Patrons Need To Be Told
Checklist:
 Where the access is available (description or map of
coverage areas)
 What – can they print? Is there a time limit?
 When it is available (after hours in parking lot)
 How to get encryption key or how to authenticate (if
applicable)
 What support is available, and during what hours.
 Some helpful links to troubleshooting sites from
Microsoft, Apple, Droid, etc.
 A simple set of troubleshooting tips, for common
problems.

16. Additional Ideas for your FAQ: What
You Offer and What You Don’t
“The library does/does not provide the ability to
access streaming audio or video, telnet or FTP.”
“Access to torrent sites is not permitted.”
“Web-based email only, no SMTP server connected.”
“No printing is available from the wireless network.
You can save your documents to floppy or USB drive
and print them from our wired stations.”
“Staff will provide no/little/some technical support,
including/not including dealing with patrons‟ personal
computer equipment.”
(Don‟t make it all about NO…)

17. Libraries with good troubleshooting or
wireless FAQ’s on their websites
Chicago Public Library -
http://www.chipublib.org/aboutcpl/wifi.php includes link to FAQ
here: http://www.chipublib.org/aboutcpl/wifi_faq.php
Very comprehensive and understandable. Example: “Why
can't I use my other e-mail clients (Outlook, Eudora, etc.) to
send e-mail from my laptop while I'm connected to the Library's
WiFi network?”
Madison Public Library -
www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/services/wireless.html
This is where I got the “outlet map” image.
They have section on copyright.
Menlo Park Library –
http://www.menloparklibrary.org/wireless.html
Love their idea of “laptop-friendly tables”!

18. Idea: Sample FAQ

19. Wireless Security Options
Wireless doesn’t have to be insecure
 Separate Your Patron and Staff Networks
 Separate Your Wireless Network
 Encryption Key Security (WPA2)
 Captive Portals
 “Click-through” policy agreement only
 Library/Guest card authentication + policy
 Gathering MAC addresses?
 Controlling bandwidth, usage type?

20. Wireless Security Options
How Not to Secure Your Wireless Network:
 Never telling anyone you have it
 Making it impossible for patrons to use
 Turning it off

21. Wireless Printing: Items to Consider
 Can your public network printer be adapted
for wireless printing? Options:
 Wireless upgrade kit
 Wireless print server
 Wireless printer (point to IP address)
 Can your existing print management system
(Envisionware, SAM, Cassie, etc.) be
adapted to work with wireless printing?
 If you charge for wired printing, can you
capture charges for wireless printing, as well?
No second class citizens!

22. Thinking Outside the Wires:
Marketing Your Wireless Service
 Tell your staff first.
 Tell your larger organization (city, university). Let
them help you cross-promote and refer.
 Tell your colleagues
 Tell the press (test first!)
 Tell your patrons.
 Website
 Tent cards
 Handouts
 SHOW your patrons!
 Make a map
 Brand Your Hotspot

23. Idea: Brand Your Hotspot
Image at left: Paris-
Bourbon County Public
Library, Paris, KY
http://bourbonlibrary.org/
wireless.htm
Above left: Dover (NJ) Free Public Library
http://www.dfpl.org/news.htm
Above right: Whitman County (WA) Library:
http://www.whitco.lib.wa.us/LibraryNews.htm
Image at left from Eva K. Bowlby Library,
Greene County, PA:
http://www.evakbowlby.org/

24. Wireless Policy Issues
Don‟t forget:
Your existing Computer/Internet Use Policy
Your existing Library Conduct Policy
These cover most of what you need for wireless
use by patrons.

25. Wireless Access Policy: Additional
Disclaimers and Warnings
 “The library cannot guarantee a secure connection at all times
and in all places…” (two tin cans and a string…)
 “Wireless networks are transmitted via radio waves, and are
therefore susceptible to „eavesdropping‟. Patrons should be
aware of what they are transmitting over this open network.”
 “As the library‟s Internet access is filtered, so is the wireless
access to the Internet.” (or whatever – be consistent!)
 “Patrons are responsible for their own equipment.”
 “All library policies concerning legal and acceptable use of
computers and the Internet, as well as library conduct policies,
apply to patrons using our wireless service.”

26. Legal Issues
 Recent Mediacom brouhaha
 Disney, Comcast, Time Warner, MPAA –
“cracking down”
 Progressive series of “warnings” about illegal
downloads of copyrighted material
 Iowa League of Cities response
 DMCA Title II – Digital Millenium Copyright Act –
1998
 Where is „fair use‟?
 www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/copyright/dmca/index.cfm

27. Legal Issues
www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/copyright/dmca/index.cfm
“…Title II…exempts any OSP (Online Service
Provider) or carrier of digital information (including
libraries) from copyright liability because of the
content of a transmisssion made by a user of the
provider‟s or carrier‟s systems (e.g. the user of a
library computer system)”
Note: the OSP/library must show that it will block
infringing materials or tools or hyperlinks in
acknowledgment of a proper notice.

28. Any Final Questions?

29. Borrow It!
Wireless Networking
A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians
By Louise E. Alcorn and Maryellen Mott
Allen
ISBN: 9781555704780
Published: 2006
8.5 x 11 | 125 pp. | $70.00
http://www.neal-schuman.com/wireless-networking

30. Thank You For Your Time!
email: louise.alcorn@wdm.iowa.gov
www.slideshare.net/lalcorn
2010 WebJunction article and webinar:
http://www.webjunction.org/documents/webjunction/
Create_a_Smart_Wireless_Network_for_Your_Library.html
My book: Wireless Networking for Libraries: A How to Do It
Manual. Neal-Schuman, 2005.
Please reproduce only with
permission and attribution.