By VALERIE METREJEAN

Staff Writer

Prescott Memorial Library will soon have Internet access -- no strings (or cords) attached.

With a $10,000 grant funded by the Student Technology Board, students can now use their laptops on the second, third, fifth, eighth, ninth and 10th floors of the library with full wireless Internet access.

"Tolliver [Hall], the Student Center, [George T. Madison Hall] and several other classroom buildings already have wireless, but the library definitely needed it, too," Danny Schales, network administrator, said.

Mike DiCarlo, associate director of libraries, said that when more and more students started bringing laptops to the library, the staff knew wireless would be a great asset.

"I think it is a great idea to have wireless in the library, "Ryan Colgin, a senior graphic design major said.

"That is where many students try to do their homework, and for a lot of classes in my major, and a lot of others, you need Internet access."

Dicarlo said, "the antennas will allow for about 50 people on one floor to be able to access the Internet."

DiCarlo said he knows no one wants "to stay inside on pretty days" so having the antennas reach throughout the entire Quad is something that the students will enjoy.

"You can sit outside and eat lunch while you work," Schales said.

"It reaches outside because there are antennas in the CEnIT, the Bookstore and now the library which continue out into most of the Quad."

Students who want to use the wireless network need to register and will need a wireless card supporting 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g to access the system.

Further information on setting up wireless Internet can be found by clicking the Read More link at the Computing Center Web site.

"After a student registers the first time they will not have to worry about logging in." DiCarlo said.

Schales said he recommends using "latech" rather than "latech open air" when registering.

"Open air will seem like the easier network to use but it is not secure and will allow anyone to access transmitted data," Schales said.

DiCarlo said older computers may need a network card.

DiCarlo said he feels the benefits are worth it.

"You can pick your favorite spot in the library, study and not have to worry about moving around when researching information because it is all right there," DiCarlo said.

Students are already showing an interest in the new wireless system.

"You can access the Internet without having to wait on slow computers," Colgin said.

"I will probably be using that a lot this year."