Information Services Services Management Committee
Report on Internet Connections for LapTop Use in the University of Waterloo
Libraries
October 2000
Members of committee: Jackie Stapleton (Facilitator), Wish Leonard, Doug Morton,
Susan Moskal, Carl Nagel
This committee discussed the addition of network connections in the University
of Waterloo libraries in order to provide students, and others, with access
to the Internet through their own laptops. Below are our recommendations concerning
the number of Internet drops, cost estimates and various criteria associated
with these connections.
Recommendations
Internet drops should be added/activated in all 3 libraries, Dana Porter,
Davis Centre, and UMD.
The guidelines used to determine the number and location of the drops include
the following:
- There is a possibility if the number of drops is kept manageable that this
project can be combined with an already existing need for more switches in
the UW libraries
- Locate drops close to Library Staff for help and support
- Group drops in a close pattern because a) easier directions b) simpler signage
c) easier to wire
- Suitable working space, ie. lighting, desk space, existing study spaces
available
Technical limitations:
- Access to electrical receptacle to power laptop
- Distance to the nearest switch connection
- Access to network wiring at both a current switch location or a new switch
location if one is purchased
Wheelchair accessible locations were also discussed. The Dana Porter Library
already has existing drops within the Adaptive Technology Centre. The Davis
Centre Library should also have a drop which is accessible by wheelchair.
Number and Location of Drops
We have prepared 2 scenarios outlining the number and location of drops. Scenario
1 lists the ideal number of drops and their location. If the money or labour required
to accomplish Scenario 1 becomes an issue, Scenario 2 outlines a reduced number
of drops.
Number and Location of Drops continued:
|
Dana Porter - Scenario 1
First floor - 9 drops
- 3 drops already exist by the micro service desk
- 2 new drops by the micro area (Geac)
- 4 new drops in the typing rooms (A-D)
Second floor - 2 drops
- 2 drops already exist and will be relocated by the ISR entrance
Third floor - 2 drops
- 2 new drops by the FLEX lab wall
Fifth floor - 6 drops
- 2 drops already exist by the pillar by the fiche readers
- 4 new drops by the LIB 512C wall
Sixth-Tenth floor - 10 drops
- 2 drops already exist in the study rooms on 6th, 8th,
9th and 10th floor
- 2 new drops in the second study room (1016) on the 10th
floor
Seventh floor - 0 drops
- no study rooms on this floor
Total = 29 drops (14 new)
|
Dana Porter - Scenario 2
First floor - 7 drops
- Remove the 2 new drops by the micro area (Geac) - heavy traffic
area, inadequate desk space
- The other drops may be affected by future renovation plans
Second floor - 2 drops
Third floor - 0 drops
- Remove drops by FLEX lab - problematic space for wiring
Fifth floor - 6 drops
Sixth-Tenth floor - 8 drops
- Remove the 2 new drops in 1016 study room
Seventh floor - 0 drops
Total = 23 drops (8 new)
|
Number and Location of Drops continued:
| Davis Centre - Scenario 1
Group study rooms - 2 in each = 10
drops
- 2 drops already exist in 3 study rooms (2 rooms by User Services,
old Accessibility Centre)
- 2 new drops in other 2 study rooms (quiet study area, lower floor)
Study carrels close to Information Desk - 1
at the end of the first six rows of = 6 drops
Typewriter rooms in the Microform area – 1
in each = 5 drops
Study tables throughout library – 0 drops
Total: 21 drops (15 new) |
Davis Centre - Scenario 2
Group study rooms - 2 in each = 10
drops
Study carrels close to Information Desk - 0
drops
Typewriter rooms in the Microform area - 1
in each = 5 drops
-
- Keep these drops - quiet area, more private, will be wiring back
study room anyway
Study tables throughout library - 0 drops
Total: 15 drops (9 new) |
| UMD - Scenario 1 and 2 are the same.
Back wall stacks
Total = 2 drops (0 new) |
Cost estimates for our recommendation:
| Scenario 1 |
Scenario 2 |
| Drop Costs ($75 per new
drop):
Dana Porter
2 relocated drops = $22.00
14 new drops = $1050.00
Davis Centre
15 new drops = $1125.00
UMD
0 new drops = $0.00
Total = $2197.00 |
Drop Costs:
Dana Porter
1 relocated drop = $22.00
8 new drops = $600.00
Davis Centre
9 new drops = $675.00
UMD
0 new drops = $0.00
Total = $1297.00 |
Switch Costs:
There are two switches planned for purchase by the Library Systems department
to address needed ports for existing staff and public areas. These two switches
can accommodate the new drops outlined in both scenarios above therefore the additional
cost of these switches are not factored into the total cost for this report.
Other issues associated with this project:
Timing:
It is anticipated that the installation of new drops by IST can take between
6-8 weeks. We recommend that rather than wait to deliver the service all at once,
the library should move ahead with the existing drops as soon as possible. The
new drops can then be added to the service as they are wired.
Services available through the ports:
IST controls the services which are available, the library cannot make alterations.
These services include:
- Internet (proxy accounts are not needed to access library resources through
the web)
- Email
- Polaris accounts (Note, students can access the files in their Polaris space
but not the software.)
Technical requirements:
- Users will need an Ethernet card or a laptop which has an internal Ethernet
connection.
- Users will need the appropriate cabling to connect the laptop to the drop.
This can be purchased from the computer store in SCH for only $3-4. We do
not feel the library should get involved in loaning the cabling.
Who will have access to the ports?
- Anyone with a valid UW userid and password. These can be obtained from IST
or through the IST web site. This includes faculty, staff and students but
may not include contract staff or anyone not on UW payroll.
- Community users including other TUG members will not have access. Setting
up access would require organizing, distributing and monitoring guest accounts
and passwords which we do not feel the library is obliged to offer. The services
the library provides through the public workstations are satisfactory.
Future considerations:
Instructions/help guides:
An information sheet should be prepared outlining what is needed to access
drops (ie. ethernet card, cabling), the services available through the service,
and how to obtain a userid. Contact IST to determine what information they provide
to users.
Signage:
Add drop locations to floor maps and label the actual locations.
Location of Drops:
Monitor use of the study rooms and if they are being monopolized by single
laptop users, consider adding more drops in single (solitary) study spaces.
Reference support:
Library Information Desk staff should support library applications (ie. web
resources) but not non library applications (ie. Polaris, Microsoft Office applications).
Systems Support:
Library systems will provide support for determining that the connection is
actually working. (A more detailed description of systems support should be created
before the drops are activiated.)
Usage statistics:
Encourage IST to provide statistics on the use of the drops.
Training:
Provide demo sessions for staff (ie. how to set up lap top, demo what appears
on the screen once the connection is established)
Loaning of laptops:
If, in the future, the library decides to loan laptops to students/staff/faculty,
the Internet drops would already be in place. The libraries may want to revisit
the number and location of drops at that time.
Information Services Management Committee
LibISMC
December 5, 2001