Wireless Internet Access

Announcement: Please take a few moments to fill out a survey on Wireless Internet Access at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Introduction

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in conjunction with the eiNetwork (www.einetwork.net) provides free wireless Internet service that you can use to connect your personal laptop to the World Wide Web at all our locations.

If you wish to take advantage of this free network you will need to bring your own laptop computer equipped with built-in WiFi capability, or you will need to install a WiFi network card in your laptop. Our network uses industry-standard 802.11 wireless networking equipment. We cannot guarantee the compatibility of your wireless equipment with our network. Follow the Patron Wireless Authentication instructions to set it up. If it does not work, please refer to the troubleshooting guides for Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X.

Disclaimers

Neither Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh nor eiNetwork can be held responsible for any changes you make to your computer's settings as a result of attempting to connect to the wireless network. It is expected that the user/owner of the laptop is capable of configuring the network setting on his/her own computer. Our staff is not trained to configure your laptop to use the network and cannot provide troubleshooting assistance. If you have trouble connecting with your laptop, please remember that you may use one of our free public access computers -- all you need is a current library card.

Our free wireless network is not a secure network. We recommend that you do not use this network for the transfer of sensitive data, such as credit card numbers or bank account numbers, even while using SSL encryption built into your web browser. This data would be vulnerable during transit on the network, where any person in the area running simple software on a wireless laptop computer could intercept the data. Remember that anything wireless is inherently less secure than anything with wires. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh accepts no liability for any loss of privacy or data you may experience while using the network.

Library Internet Policy

You are required to follow Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Internet Safety and Use Policy while using the free wireless network. Both the computers that we provide to the public and the wireless connection that we provide for your laptop have filtered Internet access in accordance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Any adult (17 years of age or older) may request that the filter be disabled without significant delay by a library staff member. An authorized staff member may override the filter for a minor (age 16 years or younger) in the event that the filter wrongly blocks or filters Internet access to a specific site with legitimate informational value. Misuse of the free wireless Internet access may result in loss of computer privileges, loss of library privileges, and possible criminal prosecution. Misuse includes (but is not limited to): using the network access for any illegal activity, sending spam, hacking into or damaging library systems, sending harassing messages to others, violating copyright and software licensing agreements, and viewing materials that are obscene or harmful to minors.

Setting up the Connection

Patron Wireless Authentication Instructions (.pdf format)

The Wireless Internet Access no longer requires that you set up the browser proxy settings on most laptop computers.

Trouble Shooting Guides

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Feedback

We appreciate any comments you may have about our pilot program for wireless access. Please fill out our online form.

This project has been partially funded with federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds administered by the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries.