Q. How is wireless installed in the library?
A. A Wireless Access Point (WAP) is installed on the library's Local Area Network (LAN). It uses 2-way radio to provide connectivity between the LAN and wireless devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Such devices are usually configured to locate wireless networks automatically but may require the patron to click a button in order to use the network.
Q. The sample contract has a line for "Other equipment as needed". What is that about?
A. The WAP can generally provide radio coverage for the entire library. In extremely rare cases, very large libraries built of steel and concrete can impede the signal and thus require more than one WAP to cover the entire building. This is not an issue for most, if not all, SELCO Online Libraries.
Q. Is a separate internet connection required?
A. In most cases, no. We prefer to keep wireless network traffic separate from other traffic such as that created by staff and public PCs for security reasons. Usually, we accomplish this by using the SELCO router to create two network segments. Each segment uses the same router to access the library's internet connection but functions as a separate LAN. The routers used by SELCO can only manage two network segment. In rare cases, we may have already segmented the LAN in order to satisfy some other need at the library. In those cases, the two network segments we can create are already in use and we have to find another means to segregate wireless traffic. Often, a separate internet connection is the answer.
Q. Is Wireless Internet Access filtered?
A. Yes. The same filtering provided through our router by SonicWall, the router manufacturer, is applied to wireless traffic. It is possible to turn off filtering if the library chooses.
Q. I thought CIPA required filtering!
A. The Children's Internet Protection Act requires that library-owned computers be filtered. Laptops and other wireless devices owned by patrons are not included in this mandate, as we understand the law. It should be noted that interpretations of this point differ and the issue has not been resolved in a court of law.
Q. Do patrons have to know a password to use Wireless Internet Access?
A. For security reasons, SELCO recommends that Wireless Internet Access be set up with a login password which can be prominently displayed while still protecting patrons from online attack. It is just a recommendation, however, and libraries may opt not to require any password.
Q. Can we limit the amount of time a user can use Wireless Internet Access?
A. It is not possible at this time to impose time limits on Wireless Internet Access use.
Q. Can we require that patrons acknowledge the library's Internet Use Policy before they can access Wireless Internet Access?
A. Yes, SELCO can set things up so that patrons must click OK on a webpage containing the library's policies before they can start using the internet wirelessly.
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