Dear all,

Thank you for your responses on this topic.

Generally, WiFi provision in libraries seems not to have had a measurable impact on the PN provision.

There seems to be little consistency in findings, and a variety of suggestions in this overall area.

And the one I forgot! - does anyone provide a print service over WiFi, as you (presumably) do over PN?


* Some prefer the PN provision, as WiFi is chargeable in that area, whilst PN is free.
- So don't charge for WiFi?

* PN not competition, but nearby Cafe's and Bars offering free WiFi may be!
- So free coffee and beer?

* WiFi users revert to PN when their batteries run out, and the library hasn't provided enough power sockets!  
- So provide more sockets? - or perhaps not!

* Laptop access in many socio-economic groups is low: 
-Should we loan them?

* Many migrant workers in some areas don't have a laptop and so use the PN,  whilst others do have their own, and prefer to use that, as the laptop is set up in their native language.
- So allow more configurability and personalisation on PN PC's?

* WiFi use is predominantly from the FE and HE sector and from business people

* Laptops used for 'Social Networking'
- So we need to allow 'group working' on PN PC's?

* Laptops used to add to PN time? 
- More PN or longer access on PN?

* Filtering or Network restrictions on PN and/or WiFi may affect takeup of either.

* Age of PN PC's may be a barrier.
- Replacement may be a trigger to reduce numbers and move to a greater proportion of WiFi?

* Use WiFi and PN to convert a Reference Library into a 'Study Support Centre'
- So more IT and less Ref?

Hope this helps

Regards

JU

John Usher
ICT Development Manager
Islington Library & Cultural Services
Islington Council
Central Library
2 Fieldway Crescent
LONDON N5 1PF

Tel: 020 7527 6920
Mobile: 07825 098 223
Fax: 020 7527 6926
Alternative contact: Michelle Gannon - 020 7527 6907

www.islington.gov.uk 

*****

> Sorry for cross-posting.
> 
> Has anyone who has a public WiFi installation in parallel with public PC's 
> seen a reduction in the demand for the public PC's?
> 
> I have a suspicion that this is what's happening here, and with laptops and 
> other WiFi-enabled devices getting cheaper, it is a logical conclusion, but we 
> have other factors which might also be the cause (over and above a general 
> reduction in demand, which appears to have peaked).
> 
> So if anyone can confirm or refute this possibility, I'd be happy to hear!
> 
> 
> Best wishes
> 
> JU
> 
> 
> John Usher
> ICT Development Manager
> Islington Library & Cultural Services
> Islington Council
> Central Library
> 2 Fieldway Crescent
> LONDON N5 1PF
> 
> Tel: 020 7527 6920
> Mobile: 07825 098 223
> Fax: 020 7527 6926
> Alternative contact: Michelle Gannon - 020 7527 6907
> 
> www.islington.gov.uk
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