Our WIRELESSNESS
We're on the Wireless Information Highway

Library Director Debbie Cosper recently told Crystal Quarles of Huntington's Herald-Dispatch that offering wireless Internet is not only great for patrons who have a laptop to connect them to the world, but travelers.

"We started so that we could offer our customers a new level of service," Cosper said. We would have people ask us about it, especially people from out of town -- spouses and business people. We've seen a real big increase in that."

Libraries from Greenup to Letcher counties along U.S. 23, which runs throughout Appalachian Eastern Kentucky, now have wireless Internet. Most of the libraries have been offering the service for about six months. This addition to the libraries will allow people to receive wireless access in small towns.

In Boyd County, the library's wireless access point is set to accept wireless a, b or g network cards, which cover the most commonly used standards.

To make use of the library's wireless hot spot, a computer needs to be set to obtain its IP and DNS information automatically. Instruction sheets as well as a brochure explaining the free wireless access are offered. Brochures can be found at all the libraries and chambers of commerce in the region, including the Ashland Alliance on Winchester Avenue.

"The library is just a really good place to go along the Country Music Highway to be connected to the world," Cosper said.