The flagship library has an extensive Wi-Fi network and staffers wear Vocera intercom badges: But branches have lagged because the library system has, frankly, been focusing on building. A levy a few years ago paid for a chunk of the fantastic downtown facility, and for branch libraries all over town. Last week, the SPL announced that seven branches have had Wi-Fi added, and all of the rest of the branches will eventually gain such service.
I've shared office space with fellow writers and creative types since about 1997 in Seattle, and since 1999, I've always been within one to four blocks of a library branch. It hasn't been on purpose, but Seattle is a book and library town. Every corner in most neighborhoods has some way of obtaining written literature and non-fiction. [Link via meatspace experience of Conrad Chavez]
great!
>fantastic downtown facility
yes indeed - tried several floors in Nov. 2004
Here in NYC: NYPL (Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island) all 80 branches unwired. Brooklyn has 58. These are all easy to use.
Same can not be said about Wi-Fi of the branches of the Queens Library System (12 of 63 unwired sofar):
One needs to sign in with a library card number and a PIN. Certain things that I can use in the other libraries (e.g. AOL for PDA) don't work. Queens contracted with bluesocket. Read their take on this here:
http://www.bluesocket.com/solutions/libraries.html
Klaus Ernst in Queens,NY
I grew up in Seattle during the 60s, 70s and 80s.
I'm glad I left, too congested. However one of
the best things about Seattle aside from SeaFair :) was of course growing up with such
a large local library network. Easy access to
books historically makes for a great community.
I believe the same is true for networking/IP.
Good to hear Seattle is leading the march in
public access.