Dear MCGers,

 

I wanted to draw your attention to a research report which has just been
produced looking at the state and impact of Wifi provision in Public
Libraries (http://www.insight-icam.com/wifi2007) - see email below.

 

While museums have not seen the same level of Government funding for the
provision of public Internet access, I know from conversations with many
museums that they are either already providing in-gallery Web access or are
considering doing so. 

 

The provision of costed Wifi access in cafes and other public spaces (such
as trains and train stations) is gradually building momentum and one has
only to visit the British Library on any weekday to see the powerful effect
of providing a power socket and a Wifi connection for users. I personally
know two people who run the bulk of their business from the British Library
café!

 

So, my question is to what extent do you as a museum professional see
potential benefit in rolling out Wifi access for your visitors? Is it on the
'would be nice if we had the money' list, or is it something you have
already considered and discounted? Does anybody know of any research in this
area specifically for museums?

 

This is just a speculative email at this stage, but we'd be interested in
working up some more concerted research if people felt there were a need/use
for it. 

 

Nick

 

 

 

-------------[Email submitted to LIS-PUB-LIBS Jiscmail list
below]------------------

Dear List

We have recently carries out extensive market research on Wi-Fi services in
UK public libraries.  We received detailed responses from over 50 percent of
all public library authorities and thought that some of you would be
interested in seeing the results of this work.  

The report, A Review and Evaluation of Wi-Fi services in United Kingdom
Public Libraries can be downloaded from:
http://www.insight-icam.com/wifi2007 

The report shows that the UK is broadly split into three sections: a quarter
of libraries have Wi-Fi, one quarter are planning to have Wi-Fi and the
remaining half are still not actively planning it.

Extending the scope of the library service was the main reason given for
having/planning Wi-Fi implementations, which reflects that most
implementations have been or are being led by libraries as opposed to IT
departments.

With some authorities experiencing declining borrower numbers and serious
challenges in attracting new users, it is encouraging to see that over 50%
of respondents with Wi-Fi say that it has raised the profile of their
library, attracted new users or increased library visitor. That's really
good news for libraries!

Neil Johnson 
iCAM Systems Software 
Insight Media Internet Limited 
Tel: (+44) 0870 606 0679 
Fax: (+44) 0870 600 6853 
http://www.insight-media.co.uk 
http://www.insight-icam.co.uk 

 

 

 

 

Nick Poole

Chief Executive

MDA

The Spectrum Building

The Michael Young Centre

Purbeck Road

Cambridge

CB2 2PD

 

Tel 01223 415 760

 

www.mda.org.uk

www.collectionslink.org.uk

www.culturalpropertyadvice.gov.uk

 

MDA (Europe) Ltd. Registered company number 13000565.

 

 


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