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,
affiliated with Thomas Edison State
College.
