WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORKS (LANs) AND LIBRARIES
REDES DE ÁREA LOCAL (LANs) INÁLAMBRICAS Y BIBLIOTECAS

Dave Piper, Head, Information Technology Center
  Arizona Health Sciences Library, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
Poster presented at the
V Congreso Regional de Información en Ciencias de la Salud / 
5th Regional Congress on Health Sciences Information
April 25-27, 2001 Havana, Cuba

dpiper@ahsl.arizona.edu
poster #P-10

• Poster abstract
• Arizona Health Sciences Library wireless classroom
• Project cost information
• Classroom and equipment photos
• Wireless technology and wireless LANs
• Wireless LANs in libraries and classrooms
• The Hedy Lamarr connection

Poster abstract

Wireless technology is now fast and reliable. Wireless LANs offer new solutions for providing cost-effective access to digital information in a variety of environments including libraries, classrooms and other learning environments.

The Arizona Health Sciences Library recently implemented a wireless computer classroom using battery-operated notebook computers and a wireless LAN. Because there was no need to outfit the room with 24 hard-wired network ports and additional electrical service, room preparation costs were greatly reduced. In addition, the room can be utilized for multiple purposes, since the wireless, portable computer workstations can be easily setup or removed.

Based on its positive experience with this initial application of wireless technology, the library then created a wireless zone throughout the entire 4-floor facility. Library users and staff can now access networked resources (digital library collection, email, Internet, etc.) from anywhere in the building. Increasingly libraries and universities are using wireless LANs to provide more convenient, cost-effective access to information resources and to create environments that support new learning modalities.

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Arizona Health Sciences Library (AHSL) wireless classroom

The Challenge
A second computer classroom was needed, but the best available space was also our largest all-purpose meeting room.  We did not want to "sacrifice" this meeting room in exchange for getting another computer classroom.

The library has an active educational program, each year conducting hundreds of educational activities.  Last year 436 educational activities were given.  The vast majority of these activities are hands-on classes taught in the library's computer classroom.  This classroom has 10 student stations.

Last year there were over 60 classes with more than 10 attendees and over 1o classes with more than 15 participants.  Occasionally there is the need to conduct two computer-based classes simultaneously.

The need for a second, larger computer classroom has been evident to us for some time.

The Solution
A wireless classroom using battery-powered notebook computers with wireless network connections.

We evaluated the state-of-the-art of wireless LAN technology.  During our initial assessment we determined that a satisfactory wireless solution was not feasible at that time (late 1998) and we began preparations for implementing an alternate plan.

Although not our preferred solution, "Plan B"--which involved bringing power and data up through a concrete floor at various locations in the room--was feasible.  Cost estimates for concrete "core drilling" and other room modifications, adding additional electrical outlets and hardwire network connections were obtained.

As planning proceeded, we continued to monitor the wireless arena.  We were pleasantly surprised to see that improvements in wireless technology was taking place at a very quick pace.

Happily, during the summer of 1999 and before reaching Plan B's point of no return , we determined that a satisfactory wireless implementation was now not only feasible, but clearly our best option.  In just six months' time, major developments had taken place in wireless technology.  (See "Wireless technology and wireless LANs" for more information.)

Why wireless?

Our primary goal was to create a second computer classroom while still retaining the ability to use the room for other purposes.  We wanted to be able to rearrange the furniture and to switch from computer classroom to meeting room and vice versa quickly and easily.

Portable computer equipment (notebooks) running on batteries (no electrical cords) and using wireless network connections (no Ethernet cables) allowed us to have fully networked computer stations that could be easily set up, moved around, and taken down.

Furthermore, we found that the wireless solution saved us money.  The wireless equipment was not very expensive (see "Project cost information" below) and we no longer needed to consider drilling holes at various places in the floor, installing 25 network jacks, and installing additional electrical outlets in the room.

The classroom

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Selected project cost information

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Classroom and equipment photos

Computer classroom setup:
Student workstations with wireless connections facing front of room

Conference style room set up:
(same room as above)
Tables and chairs in a rectangle; student workstations removed

Wireless equipment:
Wireless access point:

Wireless network adapters (one installed in computer with only antenna portion showing and one lying next to computer):

Wheeled security cart (holds 24 computers):

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