Circulating WiFi

When the Who told us we should be "Going Mobile" on the album Who's Next (1971), we weren't thinking about mobile devices and wireless internet access. Pete Townshend had something else in mind when he wrote the lyrics (i.e., the joys of travelling the open road in a mobile home). [FN 1] But today, going mobile conjures people carrying smartphones, tablets, other handheld computers or mobile devices.

Not everyone, however, is sufficiently affluent or technologically sophisticated to purchase and utilize their own mobile devices. That's why public libraries still offer computer workstations for public use. Some folks have laptops or desktop computers but can't afford a monthly internet service provider. Coming to the library may not always be convenient for patrons (such as when the library's closed). If only internet access were mobile!

Thankfully, libraries now offer portable wireless broadband devices (WiFi) that patrons may checkout using their library cards. At my library, we use Sprint WiFi Hotspots, which provide wireless 4G online connectivity to multiple computing devices. The Hotspots look like this:

Sprint WiFi Hotspot with USB cable and power plug adapter

We furnish patrons with an information packet when they checkout a Hotspot (along with our circulation policy). Our promo trailer (below) is one way we market the devices; we also promote them on our website, social media, outdoor LED sign, handouts, and signs inside the library.

WiFi Hotspots Promo Trailer,

by Mooresville Public Library

These WiFi Hotspots have been extremely popular. Patrons check them out constantly, and there is a healthy holds list. It is just another service that we as a public library may offer our constituency.

[FN 1]: Grantley, S.; Parker, A.G. (2010). The Who by Numbers. Helter Skelter Publishing. pp. 94–95. ISBN 978-1-905139-26-2.

P.S. Here's "Going Mobile" by the Who, from the album Who's Next (1971) (video by Mark Allen Parker [2012]).

Comments

Using QR Codes to Promote Book Trailers on Book Displays

The ubiquitous book display is a mainstay of traditional collection promotion in public libraries . How many of these have you made over the years? Frankly, I've lost count. Book displays increase item circulation because they attract patrons' attention and provide them with immediate gratification without their having to search for what has caught their interest. The books are right there ; just grab them and head for circulation to check them out. Nothing could be easier. But what if the books are carefully wrapped-up (say, for a banned book display, which we did a couple of times), and patrons can't read the back cover descriptions? For ordinary book displays, is there something more visually engaging that could appeal to patrons than just having to read the book jackets? That's where book trailers could help "sell" the book. Wouldn't it be nice if patrons could watch the book trailers while they're look...

Using Video to Promote ALA Banned Books Week

When promoting ALA Banned Books Week (BBW), most librarians have probably turned to the ol' reliable book display, like so: Click images to enlarge Book displays are great. They centralize selected items, focus patrons' attention on a particular topic or theme, and they're relatively easy and inexpensive to produce. But they're just so, well, static. Stuff just sits there until patrons come along. Another popular static medium we use to promote BBW is the customized book mark. These take a bit more work but are fine as promotional tools, as far as they go. How about something more, say, techno-savvy? 2018 Banned Books Week Promo Trailer by Mooresville (Indiana) Public Library 2016 Banned Books Week Promo Trailer by Mooresville (Indiana) Public Library Since 2010 my library has used videos to promote BBW. There are the promo trailer variety (above) that help stimulate interest, and thes...

See All the Fun You'll Have Working at the Library!

For many years libraries have used videos to promote programs, resources, services, community connections, local history, and many other activities. There is often an underlying implied theme: the library is a fun place to be! Patrons and staff have known this to be true forever. Consider, too, that the library is a fun workplace , and videos can share this side of a library's character. I work in a small township public library ( Mooresville [Indiana] Public Library ) where fun is not merely a daily expectation, it is a requirement. MPL's YouTube channel has a fleet of videos showcasing the smiles staff wear while working. Let's see some. Beyond Books Infomercial by Mooresville Public Library Go Ask Reference by Rachel Montgomery & Meghan Adams Librarians Do Taio Cruz by Suzanne Walker We Love Mooresville Public Library by MPL Staff of 2019 Libraries & Old Dewey by Suzanne Walker and MPL Staff & Volunteers It's even possible ...

BiblioTechno Global Footprint

Search This Blog