More questions from my questions.

One of the main things that I have learned from questioning Roma and my own experience in the library, is that I have more questions now than when I started. The present network at Gorham Free Library is a wired networked but through my discussions with several folks at PLS, I saw how relatively simple and cost effective it would be to also go wireless. Since there is only 4 stations open to the public, it would make a lot of sense to go wireless, which is why I am writing my final paper on just that. I will not only be doing it for a grade, but to use as a tool with my board of trustees to convince that of the legitimacy of the idea. I am hoping to make the entire library (which really isn't very big) a "hot spot". My biggest question at this point is whether or not the downstairs will be "hot" too. This is the area that will be for book discussions, clubs, presentations, etc. and I think it would be beneficial to be able to use personal computers and PDA's there also.
PLSs' servers are LINUX and they concentrate on open source. All the libraries, Gorham's included, use Dell computers. PLS does include specifications that computers should meet in order to be able to run to the maximum of the capabilities provided and ask that all the 42 libraries within the system meet those standards. The Internet is provided by Road Runner with a virtual private tunnel. The Gorham Library has the Dell's specified and we were fortunate enough to get them through the Gates Foundation. We will have to upgrade at least one of the four public ones in the next year or so as that one is the oldest and just barely meets the minimum requirements needed. Here's hoping for another grant!!
The library doesn't provide any PDA's or laptops at this time, but with the idea of going wireless in the near future, that is an option I am seriously looking at. I would particularly consider the laptops-does anyone know if the Gates grant would cover this? They would only be used in the library when the public wired ones are in use. Does anyone else do this?