An experiment delivering public library Internet access to remote locations is about to get underway. The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library will test out remote Wi-Fi hot spots to two Bookmobile stops and other locations in the county to be determined. Launch is expected by 2014.
The four-month pilot project, Kansas K20-Librarians Whitespace Pilot, is coordinated by the State Library, and also involves Kansas City, Kansas Public Library; Lawrence Public Library; and Manhattan Public Library.
The consortium of Kansas libraries will work together in this feasibility study to test the strength and speed of signals sent over distances. Kansas was among six consortium or public libraries chosen for this project.
This pilot is an initiative of the national Gigabit Libraries Network’s Libraries Super Wi-Fi Project that makes use of abandoned analog TV frequencies. More information about the national initiative can be found at http://giglibraries.net.
Library hours are Mon–Fri. 9 am to 9 pm, Sat. 9 am to 6 pm and Sunday 12 pm to 9 pm.
