University of Massachusetts students, faculty and staff searching for Wi-Fi on the upper floors of the W.E.B. Du Bois Library will no longer click on their browsers in vain, as wireless networks have been installed on all 26 levels of the tower.
The new Wi-Fi network installation, accessible to anyone with an Office of Information Technologies (OIT) account, is part of an initiative sponsored by OIT to expand wireless coverage on the UMass campus.
Jay Schafer, the director of libraries, said the upgrade had been under consideration since wireless was installed in the library’s Learning Commons when it was built in the lower level in 2006. Since that time, Wi-Fi access had been limited to the Learning Commons, the main floor and the first and second floors.
The other wireless networks were added ‘so that people can use their laptops in the tower,’ said Schafer, adding that the lack of Internet access on the higher floors had created a lot of traffic on the building’s four lowest levels. ‘We have lots of seating [on the upper floors] that could take some of the pressure off of the Learning Commons.’
He said the project, which cost $168,000, was done floor by floor. Internet connection is available along the study carrels around the perimeter of each floor, but it does not extend to the center, near the book stacks or the elevators.
According to Kerry Shaw, OIT’s web communications manager, the decision to install wireless networks throughout the entire library was a collaborative effort between Richard Rogers, the associate provost for academic technology (now on sabbatical in Italy), and John Dubach, chief information officer and special assistant to the chancellor.
Shaw said the number of students occupying the Learning Commons to use Wi-Fi, in addition to making the environment busier, caused the wireless networks to often become saturated or unable to sustain additional users at a particular time.
‘[We] installed more access points. It just really made sense that we would equip the entire library with wireless,’ she said, adding that the project was started in September of 2008 and completed earlier this month.
According to an e-mailed statement from Mike Dickson, a network analyst at OIT, the department in January 2007 doubled the number of access points on the library’s first four levels to enable more Internet connection. By the time of midterm exams in the spring 2007 semester, however, the networks became saturated again.
The statement said two of OIT’s departments ‘- Network Systems & Services (NSS) and the Telecommunications (Telecom) group ‘- worked on the project. The NSS designed the network layout, performed testing and now handles the day-to-day operation of the wireless networks. Telecom installed the system when its workers were available to do the wiring.
Shaw said four to six OIT personnel worked on the project. She also said the work was done after library hours because of the building’s physical and logistical complexities and because the concrete drilling that was required would have disrupted students.
‘There [seemed] to be, just based upon what we’ve seen in the Learning Commons, a huge need for Internet access ‘hellip; So having [wireless networks] on all floors ‘- people will be able to do research in conjunction with actual, physical materials ‘- I think will be very helpful,’ Shaw said.
Some UMass students also think the upgrade will benefit their schoolwork.
‘I think it’ll be really good, actually, because [the quiet study rooms on the second and third floors] get so crowded during finals time and midterms,’ said Micheala Kinlock, a sophomore majoring in psychology. ‘They can get really crowded, so it’ll be good to not feel like there are only two rooms that you can go to. You can kind of utilize the entire library.’
Dan Hargey, a senior pursuing a double major in economics and sport management, said that though he loves the busy, social atmosphere of the Learning Commons, he is glad it is now possible to get wireless service on every floor. He said that it was a burden not having Wi-Fi when he went to the upper floors to do homework.
‘You get up there and you get everything all set and all ready to go and you find out you can’t get [Internet access],’ he said. ‘Then you have to pack all your stuff up again, go all the way downstairs, try to find a computer ‘- it gets to be kind of frustrating.’
Dickson’s statement said OIT is planning to expand wireless network coverage to regularly occupied spaces ‘- such as all academic and administrative buildings on campus ‘- but that issues with cost and complexity may cause some spaces to go without. Due to the University’s tight budget, OIT will routinely assess the project to determine if it fits in with the University’s strategic goals, he said.
To access the campus wireless network, users must select ‘UMASS’ from the list of available networks, open a browser, and log
in with their NetID (OIT account user name) and password.
Anyone with questions about wireless access in the library is encouraged to go to the Learning Commons and Technical Support Desk in the building’s lower level or call the OIT Help Desk (545-9400) weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Domenic Poli can be reached at [email protected].
