[OPLINLIST] Require library card for public wireless?

[Ken Butler]

Hi Phil,

At the Holmes County District Public Library we do not require a library
card for wireless use, but we do require users to accept usage terms. We
use Sputnik to do this via a captive portal. This absolves us of liability
for anything that the user might encounter while using our wireless
services on their own device. Because this fulfills the purpose of freeing
our library of liability, we chose not to require patrons to enter their
library card for authentication, as it seemed that it would be a hassle for
patrons to use the wireless, and an even bigger hassle for IT staff to set
up and maintain, with no real gains for anyone.

The one disadvantage that I can think of for not requiring authentication
through a library card would be that since the wireless connections do not
authenticate through the PC Reservation SIP server (or something similar),
a minor that was flagged for no internet access on our patron computers
could come into the library with a mobile device, be it a laptop, smart
phone or tablet, and access the internet without parental/guardian
permission. However, a minor whose parents or guardians allow them access
to such a device, but not the internet access the device was made for,
seems unlikely.

On Thu, Jul 26, 2012 at 1:05 PM, Phil Shirley <
pshirley at cuyahogafallslibrary.org> wrote:

> Do you require patrons to enter their library card number to use your
> wireless Internet? If not, is it because you've chosen not to, or because
> you don't have any way to do it?
>
> We're about to implement SPOT from Librarica, and the issue of whether to
> require a library card has come up. Thanks for any help you can give us.
>
> Phil
>
> Phil Shirley
> Technology Services Coordinator
> Cuyahoga Falls Library
> Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
> 330-928-2117, ext. 109
> pshirley at CuyahogaFallsLibrary.org
>
>
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-- 
Ken Butler
hcotech at holmeslib.org
Head of Information Technology
Holmes County District Public Library
3102 Glen Drive
Millersburg, OH 44654
PH: 330-674-5972 ext 224
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