BY MEGAN STUDDARD, Editor-in-Cheif

The Arrendale Library has experienced significant upgrades to its wireless network.

According to Bob Glass, dean of libraries, the first wireless Internet access in the library was established in either 2005 or 2006, a time when multiple wireless devices were not used.

“Those devices were perfectly appropriate for the time,” said Glass. “In 2005, no one had a smartphone. We designed a network for the future, but it was basically only imagining that some people would be bringing in [wireless devices.]”

Last semester, Glass and his staff decided that it was time for an upgrade.

“It became obvious during the fall semester that the wireless network devices here in the library were absolutely not up to the task anymore,” he said.

Over the past few weeks, 12 wireless devices have been installed throughout the three floors of the library, greatly improving connection for patrons.

“There aren’t any dead spots anymore,” Glass said. “If you walked around the building with your phone or your laptop and looked at the signal strength, you would see that there’s almost no place where you’re getting less than the maximum number of bars of signal strength.”

The improved wireless connection in the library creates the possibility for professors to bring their classes to the library for instruction. Glass is currently promoting this idea to faculty, noting that students can all work on their own devices simultaneously and “the network will not flinch.”

“We have an instructional situation in the library that exists for the first time,” said Glass. “We’re extremely pleased that this is the case.”

According to Glass, students need a password to connect wirelessly in the library. This password can be obtained on the library’s website, under the LibGuide titled “Working Online.” There, students will enter their email address and student ID number to get the password.

He emphasized that the network, which, according to an email from Director of Information Technology Shahryar Heydari, is the same as the dorm Wi-Fi, will be completely secure.

“If you want to pay for and download something from iTunes or buy something on Amazon, your personal data, as it goes across our network, is now secure. That’s a big improvement.”

Glass said the library’s upgrades are part of a vision to create a reliable network where many people can join simultaneously in all of the academic buildings.

“There have been some improvements that have made it much easier for everybody to do their work,” Glass said.

Heydari wrote in an email interview, “the Piedmont College network, as a whole, has come a long way in the last year, and will continue to be improved to allow for future growth. ”