MCPL GOES WIRELESS

The Marathon County Public Library has installed free wireless Net, with the service being available to their patrons on 10/02/06. MCPL joins over 100 other Wisconsin public libaries in offering this service. Close to another 100 libraries intend to add the technology in 2007 according to the Department of Public Instruction.

Garrett Erickson (shown in this Wausau Daily Herald photo) is MCPL's Customer Services Team Manager and is at the point of the effort to make the library a "hotspot" in the community. Providing this service allows the library to avoid substantial costs in adding many new terminals to keep up with demand for internet access, as well as the on-going cost of keeping the equipment up-to-date.

It is reported in the Wausau Daily Herald that "the wireless capabilities will allow library staff members to eventually equip themselves with portable computer tablets. Instead of remaining stationary at an information desk, employees will be able to move throught the building and assist others when needed." Reference librarian Linda Gau said "We want to be where our customers are."

Erickson reports that the Wi-Fi system was an approximate $6,000 investment on the part of the library.

I am an officer of the Friends group at this library and am proud of the progressive approach the library's director, Mary Bethke, is taking toward library technology.