1. Wireless Networks
2. What Does the Future Hold?
3. Library Resources
4. RFID
5. Resources

Wireless refers to communication without wires (cables or cords) that uses radio frequency and infrared waves. Wireless technologies are used in voice and messaging applications (cell phones, pagers, and two-way radios), hand-held Internet-enabled devices (cell phones and Personal Digital Assistants—PDA's), and to create wireless networks.

A network is a group of two or more computers that are linked for communication. Networks frequently contain computers that are used as servers; they perform a certain function for the network, such as storing programs or files, or serving as a printer.

There are two main types of networks, a local area network (LAN) and
a wide area network (WAN). Wireless networks used in your home or
library are LAN's, or more specifically, WLAN's.

The main advantage of a wireless network is that you can use your computer (usually a laptop) where you want and move it from place to place.

Whether used in your home or at your library, wireless networks have several basic components.

1. A wireless network interface card for your computer.
2. An access point--a transmitter with an antenna that is connected to
   the Internet by a modem, cable connection, or a DSL line.
3. A system of encryption software, filters, and passwords for security.

Wireless networks work like a cordless phone, where a base is connected to the telephone line and transmits information to your phone. And like cordless phones, wireless networks have security concerns. Because wireless technology uses radio frequencies, anyone with a receiver can tune into a wireless channel; you must take extra precautions to protect your privacy.

Wi-Fi is short for wireless fidelity and denotes wireless equipment and software products that use the same over-the-air interface for interoperability. This means you can be sure that your transmitter will work with the network interface card in your computer.

Areas with Wi-Fi service are called "hotspots" and can either be free or for a fee. Most commercial sites with hotspots, such as Star bucks Coffee, charge a fee for use, while most libraries with hotspots do not.

• Increased use of wireless technology.
• Broadband wireless; allowing animations and streaming video to be downloaded.
• More and better security products.
• Increased learning opportunities.

LISNews.com
http://www.lisnews.com/

LISNews is a noncommercial, collaborative weblog devoted to current events and news in the world of Library and Information Science.
Topic categories run from Academic Libraries to Zoopraxographers,including a section on wireless (http://wireless.lisnews.com/). LISNews also sponsors a listserv:

Wireless Librarian
http://people.morrisville.edu/%7Edrewwe/wireless/index.htm

Reference/Systems Librarian (SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology, Morrisville, New York) Bill Drew’s experiences using wireless and resources for other libraries and librarians going through the wireless experience. Includes:

Libraries with Wireless Networks
http://people.morrisville.edu/~drewwe/wireless/wirelesslibraries.htm
This list includes libraries that already have a wireless network or have almost finished installing it.

Should Your Library Go Wireless? Resources for Deciding
http://www.geocities.com/karinwikoff/IST511Wireless.htm

Good information and many resources from Karin Wikoff, Library Assistant/Cataloging, at Wells College Library in Aurora, New York

RFID Stands for Radio Frequency Identification. Radio frequencies are used to communicate between the tag (a small electronic device that transmits information upon request) and a reader. All labeling is internal with RFID, and making it both more private and less likely to get damaged in shipping. RFID tags can also contain unique serial numbers, and can be used to track individual items.

Generally, the size of the tag determines its range of readability. Small tags (about the size of the head of a pin) have a range of less than an inch, while larger tags (about the size of a credit card) have a range of about 6 inches. Boosting the size of the reader antenna or its signal power will also increase readability.

The size of the tag also affects the amount of information it can hold. Information needs can range from a simple serial number to pages and pages. Larger tags are needed to store more information.

Size and range affects the cost of tags. The cheapest tags cost less than a dollar apiece, and have a very short range and extremely small storage capacities (such as a single serial number). Tags that store more information and have a larger range are more expensive, but the price of tags is dropping constantly. Industry experts predict that they will soon be cheap enough to tag many more things. Rather than replacing bar codes, however, RFID will be used with products where they can provide an additional benefit through their use—such as providing expiration dates for dairy products.

Privacy concerns about RFID tags are growing. Because tags contain unique information, some people worry that individuals could be tracked using tags in their clothes. Tags and readers could not do this effectively with the current technology; and the latest tags have a “Self Destruct” command that can be triggered at the time of purchase, deactivating the tag.

Libraries are incorporating RFID into books, periodicals, and other media. Tags are better than barcodes because they do not require line-of-sight to be tracked. Sticker-thin tags can be placed anywhere, including in the binding of books. Check out is quick and accurate; a single scan will capture both the items being checked out and the tag on the RFID library card. The tags also double as a security system, and can hold information relating to past checkout data, past damage to the items, and cataloging. In the future, tags will be able to identify both their current location in the
library (making it much easier to find lost items), and where they should be shelved.

RFID Overview
http://www.opentagsystems.com/rfidInfoOTS-overview.html

Open Tag Systems in Library Tracking
http://www.opentagsystems.com/Applications/Library.html

1. College of DuPage Library Technology Program
2. Resources
3. Evaluating Undergraduate Programs
4. General Education Resources

Prepared as a handout for the Soaring to Excellence Teleconference
“Toolkits for Advancing Your Career,” January 23, 2004 by Linda Slusar
(http://www.cod.edu/library/libweb/Slusar/SLUSAR.htm)

Are you thinking about taking a class? Do you want to learn more about library work? This quick one-page handout will lead you to some excellent sites. Be sure to check with your local library system and state library as well. If you would like to talk more about this, please send an email to Linda Slusar, Coordinator of the Library Technology Program at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
Send email to: slusar@cdnet.cod.edu

COLT: Council on Library/Media Technicians
http://colt.ucr.edu/
This site is created by the Council of Library Technicians.
Learn about current issues for library assistant. Learn about
and think about joining COLT.

United States Library Technician Training Programs
http://colt.ucr.edu/ltprograms.html
A complete list of programs in the United States is provided
on the COLT web site. Complete contact information is provided.

Library Support Staff Resource Center Listing of Educational Programs
http://flightline.highline.edu/lssrc/educate/educate.htm
This list contains programs in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom
and others.

This information was taken from the
Library Support Staff Resource Center
http://flightline.highline.edu/lssrc/default.htm
This is a wonderful and comprehensive resource for the field of
librarianship and for library staff.Here you'll find information for
and about library paraprofessionals:

• History and overview of library support staff.
• Communicating with other support staff.
• News about support staff events.
• Continuing education opportunities.
• Support staff publications.
• Other information resources and tools for your job and your library.

Graduate School Guides & Financial Aid Resources

A Guide to Graduate School
http://www2.jobtrak.com/help_manuals/gradschool/

FinAid: The Financial Aid Information Page
http://www.finaid.org/

FastWeb.com
http://fastweb.monster.com/
A database of scholarships, grants, fellowships, and loans.

Distance Education Resources

Distance Education Clearinghouse
http://www.uwex.edu/disted/home.html

Global Network Academy
http://www.gnacademy.org/

Online Education
http://www.caso.com/

Peterson's Distance Learning Resources
http://www.petersons.com/dlearn/

Virtual University (free online classes)
http://www.vu.org/