A Technology “First” for L.A.

Sweet, but why does it take over 20min for me to connect to the wireless network at my desk upstairs in the workroom?

LAPL Press Release:

A Technology “First” for L.A.: All City Libraries Now Offer Free Wireless Internet Service (Wi-Fi)

In a technology “first” for Los Angeles, people with laptop computers now have free wireless access to the Internet (“Wi-Fi”) and Web-based library resources at the Los Angeles Public Library’s Central Library and all 71 branches. The Library is the first City department to offer Wi-Fi in all its facilities.

With public demand for the Library’s 2200 computers at an all-time high, the library implemented Wi-Fi to provide greater and more convenient Internet access to the 15 million people who use the library annually.

“Transforming our libraries into Wi-Fi access points revolutionizes our ability to serve people,” says City Librarian Fontayne Holmes. “With Wi-Fi we’re providing computer access to far more people, without incurring the high cost of purchasing and maintaining additional equipment. Best of all, when people use their own laptops, more of our computers are available to patrons who must rely on library equipment for Internet access.”

Outfitting all 72 libraries citywide with Wi-Fi was accomplished without using City money, notes Holmes. Instead, the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, the non-profit organization that supports the Library, raised the necessary funds.

The program began in March 2004 as a pilot project in the Central Library’s Computer Center and was a success with the public. The Library then began an ambitious expansion of the service to all facilities. In Fall 2004, the Los Feliz Branch became the first branch to offer Wi-Fi service.

The Library completed the project by April 2007, with the inauguration of Wi-Fi at the final three branches: Felipe de Neve, Frances Howard Goldwyn-Hollywood Regional and Watts.

The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest urban population of any library in the country. Its Central Library, 71 branch libraries, six million books and state-of-the-art technology provide everyone with free and easy access to information and the opportunity for life-long learning.

A few years back, the LAPL contracted the private Milwaukee, WI based wireless tech firm Ethostream LLC, (owned today by Telkonet TKO) who mainly provided wireless services for the hospitality industry. I must admit, I don't know much about how the city contracts/outsources such services, or how/why someone in tech infrastructure support decided to go with Ethostream. When you first connect to the library's wireless network, you are re-directed to the Ethostream page where you have to agree to a disclaimer with rules/regulations of the public library. Now I have yet to try the hot spots at any other LAPL branch, but ours is limited to interior of the building...although we occasionally see folks leaning up against our windows/walls outside with laptop in hand. The signal doesn't even reach the parking lot.

From Ethostream press release, Aug. 2005:

EthoStream Expands Library Project

Milwaukee, WI – August 12, 2005 - The growth of WiFi in libraries was expanded today with EthoStream’s installation of the EthoStream Library Solution into the first 10 locations of the Los Angeles Public Libraries. With the Internet becoming a fact of life in more and more daily activities, a high-speed Internet connection is a necessity. The Los Angeles Public Libraries has recognized this and has named EthoStream as its provider of choice for its high-speed Internet access (HSIA).

Los Angeles Public Libraries has chosen EthoStream’s Library Solution for its integrated EthoStream Control Center (ECC). The Control Center will allow Los Angeles Public Libraries management to monitor and report on every aspect of the HSIA installed in the library. The ECC also allows management of the HSIA such as defining hours of activation or bandwidth management.

EthoStream’s Library Solution and integrated Control Center also allows for additional communication services to be added. Such features as Digital Video Recording, IP Video Surveillance and numerous others set the EthoStream Library Solution apart from other products. The Control Center provides the ability to remotely manage all of these features creating greater value and reducing costs for libraries.

More and more organizations are realizing the need for HSIA. Doctor’s offices, restaurants, parks and marinas have all found that customers perceive greater value and greater benefit from locations that allow them to be more efficient. Hotels and gas stations such as Hiltons and Flying J have been able to attract new customers purely through sharing their Internet connection. From business to recreation, people carry a number of devices each day that benefit from this new technology.

James VanGerpen of the Los Angeles Public Libraries states, “EthoStream’s Control Center allows me to be more productive each and every day.” “This is the same reason that more and more libraries choose EthoStream’s Library Solution to provide HSIA to library patrons, “ states EthoStream’s Jason Tienor. “We find that an increasingly large and growing number of libraries wish to add this new benefit and are searching for the most efficient and secure manner of doing so.” EthoStream’s current customers include the Waukesha Federated Library System, the Scottsdale Public Library System, the LA Public Libraries and many more.

The library department's Technology Infrastructure Support budget was less than $21K for 2006. Not so sweet.