Wireless, Barnes & Noble, and Stephen Abram

The hottest topic of library discussion lately is wireless access – how to do it, what kind of policies to have, what kind of problems might occur. Libraries are trying to give their customers what they want – and they want it all!

Now tonight I received an E-mail from Barnes and Noble. It says Get affordable WiFi service at over 600 Barnes and Noble stores. Bring your laptop and enjoy low rates as you cruise the Internet, relaxing in one of the many comfortable chairs throughout the store or while sipping coffee in our Café. Looks like B&N has learned one more thing from us . . . . whatever we do, they do as well (or possibly better), and make a profit. Books, coffeebars, storytimes, now I-net.

Ironically, just today – the same day B&N sent out this newsletter – the March 3rd SirsiDynix E-Newsletter “OneSource” features Stephen Abram’s “Wireless Libraries and Wireless Communities: Why?” Stephen begins . . . . Wireless – this is such a HOT topic! Every library conference has sessions on it. Every vendor is offering some form of it. Library users are using it – at home, at work, at school. There’s an explosion of interest in wireless. In this column I’ll list some of the reasons why wireless technologies are ready for all types of libraries. I’ll also list a few strategies that may help move your enterprise to the next level . . . Good article!