The impact of COVID-19 pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic strike globally, many institutions like school, and university must be closed. The closure of these institutions leads to a demand for broadband connectivity. This affected to low-income families hence many school students must depend on their parent’s smartphones for attending classes and doing assignments online. Even though if they have internet access but still must compete with siblings, parents, and others in their household for internet bandwidth.
How the library acts on solving internet access for patrons?
To solve this problem, Aqua Blue Public Library improve their services by providing Wi-Fi on wheels for community members who were in economically dire straits and rarely came to the library.
MiFi Hotspot
What is Wi-Fi on Wheels?
Wi-Fi on wheels can be described as a hybrid minivan with a Wi-Fi emitter attached to the roof and developed a plan to bring the library to parks in three neighborhoods around the city. The van consists of 12 Wi-Fi hotspot devices, 10 laptop computers and a staff member hired to engage the community through these mobile services. The van brings the equipment and enables services to be set up outside every day.
From decades-old bookmobiles to mobile libraries
The modern iteration for decades-old bookmobiles are these mobile libraries as libraries have been transforming the concept to go well beyond books by bringing internet access, new forms of media, and access to technology training and social services. Mobile libraries are also being intended to better support communities that have been struggles of having technology and internet access. Based on research prior to pandemic, a few school students had come to the library for homework help. Hence, this way can get a hold on what people want from their public library not only for stronger internet access but also human support during COVID and post COVID.
What is the concept behind Wi-Fi on Wheels?
Library patrons can get internet access as the library bring the internet to them. This is the concept behind Wi-Fi on Wheels which aims to help schoolchildren and adults who lack access to a high-speed connection at home.
Van/SUV used for Wi-Fi on wheels
How the Wi-Fi on Wheels work?
Library staff will drive to different neighborhoods in a section vehicle equipped with a trailer-mounted, 30-foot-tall antenna to broadcast a Wi-Fi signal. The traveling Wi-Fi unit can be described as vehicle of a Ford Explorer pulling a small trailer with a gas generator to power the antenna.
A 30-foot Wi-Fi antenna raised manually
Employees test a 30-foot Wi-Fi antenna
Generator that powers a 30-foot Wi-Fi antenna being checked
Employees raise a 30-foot Wi-Fi antenna
How much length of the Wi-Fi signal?
The size of the signal is the length of three football fields. The provided mobile Wi-Fi broadband for up to 150 users within its 300-yard radius, this is also to help bridge the digital divide between the haves and the have-nots. The Wi-Fi signal also boosted outside of library onto sidewalks, patios, grassy areas, and parking lots.
Does the high-speed connection important?
The high-speed connection important as it help children to do schoolwork more easily and for adults to surfing the internet, make surveys and handle other online business or leisure activities.
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