During the last several years, wireless has been the buzz word for what’s hot in technology. Within California, wireless hot spots have sprung up in cafes, hotels, and libraries. Several cities, such as San Francisco, San Jose and Sunnyvale are exploring city-wide wireless initiatives.

“Seattle and the Bay Area are the most ‘unwired cities’ in the United States – top spots for computer junkies who send email and surf the Web at restaurants, libraries, or public plazas.” (San Jose Mercury News, June 7, 2005)

Wireless can even be found in nontraditional places: 

 “An East Bay transit agency is looking to install free wireless Internet service on its transbay buses as early as this fall, a move that could make it one of the first mass transit agencies to provide the service to commuters … half of its fleet of transbay buses, about 40 buses focusing on commuters and rush-hour riders, will have WiFi access.” (San Jose Mercury News, July 5, 2005)

Wireless in libraries has yet to become widespread. According to the American Library Association, 89.9% of all public libraries offer public access to computers and the Internet, yet only 18% of public libraries currently offer wireless. However, 21% plan to implement wireless in the next year. A quick survey of California libraries indicates that a small number have installed wireless, but a much larger portion already have started a plan for implementation within the next 12 months.

Planning a Wireless Network

Implementation

Resources

Different Approaches for Libraries

How a Wireless Network Works

Why Implement Wireless

Nuts and Bolts

Using Third Party Setups

In-House Wireless Model

Using Out of the Box Wireless

Questions, Answers and Comments