Comments on: man using library wifi after hours gets laptop confiscated

By: Sarah Louise

Sarah Louise — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 01:29:55 +0000

What everyone from Michael on down said–we have folks that park outside and I thought it was weird too, but our director’s point, is they’re using a service–it means the library is being used even when it’s closed.

By: jonas

jonas — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:44:39 +0000

We ran into a similar issue last summer when we would typically have 5-15 people (tourists from cruise ships mostly) sitting in the lobby of the library on the floor using the wireless. We didn’t really see this as a problem, though sure enough when there was a city manager’s meeting in the library meeting room before opening one day, they were appalled by this and insisted we put a start/stop timer on the wireless connection. I for one am for creating wireless communities, open up access, and let libraries lead the way. Our library is one of the tallest buidings in town, why not put a dish on the roof and provide wireless access for everyone?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 18:58:02 +0000

I would bet this is a beef from the local police. The library didn’t call anyone, they weren’t open and they may not have any policy regarding this. Not sure why you would shut down wireless after hours. We have had wireless for a few years and have RV’s parked outside day and night. I have even had someone plug into our outside outlet and sit outside. They started early morning and even stayed outside after we opened.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 13:09:39 +0000

I agree, Michael. In fact, libraries should be offering safe & well-lighted patio seating (or other setups in cold climes) to encourage this use. What better way to get the support of your community than to create a place for them to go any time of day or night?

By: Michael Golrick

Michael Golrick — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 01:50:06 +0000

Gee, one of the points I have used in selling the idea of installing WiFi has always been that folks could get use out of our connection when we were NOT open. It is more and better service. It is definitely Library 2.0 to allow access when the building is closed to the public!!!!

By: Whisher Wi-Fi Networking News Station » Blog Archive » Anchorage Man Uses Free Wi-Fi, Has Computer Seized

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 19:32:55 +0000

[...] The article is short on details. He wasn’t arrested, but his computer was seized. The basis of that seizure aren’t disclosed–what crime was actually committed? Trespassing, perhaps, as he was parked in a place he had already been told to leave? The computer isn’t being examined by police; rather, the library’s director will be looking into the matter. The fellow in question seems only mildly irritated, and neither he nor the police are sure whether he’ll be taken to court over the matter. rsi_pub = ‘0F6C5351519D1891B9E74DB865E30237′; rsi_site = ‘33C75F5545E0474F2F8B1B1463117087′; rsi_label =’weblog’; rsi_new_window =’1′; rsi_width = ‘300′; rsi_height = ‘250′; rsi_color_border = ‘ffffff’; rsi_color_cell = ‘ffffff’; rsi_color_link = ‘000000′; rsi_color_text = ‘000000′; rsi_color_url = ‘808080′; The hilarious librarian Jessamyn West notes on her blog that there are a number of other unanswered questions, such as why the library needed a professional to install a “timer,” when they could just hit the off switch if they didn’t want it used after hours. [...]

By: The Masked Marauder

The Masked Marauder — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 19:02:42 +0000

I’m always mystified by these stories. The way I see it, there’s no difference between someone using the library’s free public wireless access whether inside or outside the building, or whether the library is open or closed.

What disturbs me the most is that they’re treating the use of free public library services as a crime. Following this logic, we should also hunt down and arrest the people (obviously hackers) who persist in searching library catalogs and databases when those libraries are closed…not to mention passing laws so that people don’t get any ideas about sitting in their cars near the library while using the light from the streetlamps to read their books.

By: Simon Spero

Simon Spero — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 16:00:03 +0000

Take a look at the weather in Palmer… it would have been close to sub-zero on the days in question. A car idling for several hours outside a closed library in those circumstances starts to look suspicious.