Laptop computer owners doing research in the Sterling Memorial Library have recently discovered that the wealth of information available to them has greatly expanded, thanks to new network connections that allow them access to the information superhighway as readily as they can retrieve printed material from the library's shelves.
Library and Information Technology Services (ITS) staff worked together to activate 24 network docking stations in the library's Starr Main Reference Room. Since October, laptop owners have been able to "plug in" to the Yale Campus Network and the Internet at two reading tables in the room. Twelve dial-up ports are available at one of the tables; at the other are 12 Ethernet ports. The ports are located at the base of table lamps.
"The service is an exciting innovation aimed to make information retrieval easier and more convenient," says Danuta Nitecki, associate University librarian. "We look forward to seeing how this added opportunity to use electronic information from one's own workstation -- while sitting amidst the wealth of the Sterling General Reference collection -- will be used by readers."
The Ethernet connections, she notes, are available only to University staff and students who already have a network connection in their office or college room. They require computers that are pre-configured for "roaming," appropriate software (e.g. Windows 95, Windows NT Workstation 3.5 or Mac OS 7.5) and an Ethernet adapter and cable. When laptop users plug their computers into the Ethernet jacks, the library's network system protocol will recognize the user's address.
Those without Ethernet cards can use the dial-up ports (telephone jacks for modem dial-up access), which are available for anyone with a modem (or PC card), phone card and a Yale PPP (Point to Point Protocol), Telnet, or ARAP (Apple Remote Access Protocol) account and associated software.
Directions for using the ports are available at the reading tables and also on-line at www.yale.edu/iic/roaming-sterling.html. "The technology behind these service capabilities is new and might seem complicated, but the day ITS and library staff activated the ports, a reader -- with only the direction of which table to sit at -- simply plugged in and started searching Internet and library files without any further assistance," says Phil Long, director of academic computing.
The new service is a one-year pilot program that will be evaluated to determine its usefulness to members of the Yale community and the effectiveness of the new technology, according to Ms. Nitecki. The technology is already used by faculty at core classrooms on the central campus and will be gradually extended campus-wide to allow faculty, students and staff to readily connect their portable computers to the campus network via Ethernet ports, Mr. Long says.
While more network access ports are planned at the library in the future, library users without laptop access will be able to use library computers to access Orbis, the library's on-line catalog, as well as the Library Research Workstation, electronic databases and resources, and web sites, Ms. Nitecki notes.
Questions and comments about the improved network access are welcomed by library staff. They should be directed to the Library Information Desk, to Ms. Nitecki (432-1818 or via email at danuta.nitecki@yale.edu) or to Mr. Long (Philip.Long@yale.edu).