[OPLINTECH] TV Whitespace

[Knapp, Mandy]

What if there could be "The Mentor Library @ the Beach," "The Columbus Library @ the Zoo," or "The Dover Public Library @ the Park" ? What if the most remote location in your service area could get a connection?



This is actually very possible and it could benefit Ohio communities in a new and revolutionary way.<https://youtu.be/SofOEsh3BNU>



It's called TV White Space and what it does is take old, unused channels from TV broadcasts and uses them to broadcast Wi-Fi to distances farther than what normal Wi-Fi can go now.  Currently, most patrons must be in the building to receive adequate Wi-Fi strength, though as we know some hover closely outside during off-hours to try and tap in.  With TV White Space, libraries could bring Wi-Fi to areas two, five or even ten miles outside the library's walls! Click here to see an interactive map of how far the signal could potentially reach for your library system.<http://wsgmaps.droppages.com/>



What could this mean for both Ohio libraries and their communities? Ohio libraries would be seen as providing full, open and free access all around town.  Community meeting places could be provided with open and free internet access for everyone.  Parks, town halls, and other public spaces could be places where people could log on freely, thanks to the public library. Talk about closing the technology gap! Library staff could check out materials at festivals and fairs without worrying about a cell signal.  Moreover, schools and school children who are less affluent could be provided with internet access around town in order to learn more in an increasingly digital age.  Finally, this could be a crucial survival tool for your city to open communication during potential emergency situations. Look for more information and webinars about this technology in the coming months. Contact Holly Klingler<mailto:holly.klingler at neo-rls.org?subject=TVWS> at NEO-RLS or Mandy Knapp<mailto:aknapp at library.ohio.gov?subject=TVWS> at State Library to learn more.



These are just a few of the potential possibilities libraries could introduce by offering this new technology. But, we want to hear from you: if you could implement WIFI anywhere in your area where would you? What would you use the signal for?





Mandy Knapp

Library Consultant

274 E. 1st Avenue

Columbus, OH 43201

Tel: 614-466-1710

Toll Free:800-686-1532 (Ohio Only)

Fax: 614-466-3584

library.ohio.gov



Share Your Story by telling us how a

State Library service or resource helped

you or your library.




-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.oplin.org/pipermail/oplintech/attachments/20150707/054dd378/attachment.html>