View Project

G2S Project Code: 2014-PA-73029
State: Pennsylvania
Fiscal Year: 2014
Grantee
Union County Library System

Project Director
Director Name: Roberta Greene
Director Phone: 570-523-1172
Director Email: rgreene@publibuc.org
General Information
Title: Broadband Connectivity for Herr Memorial Library
State Project Code: 4100069311
Start Date: 01/15/2015
End Date: 08/31/2015
Abstract:

Online and paper surveys were distributed during the month of May which produced 78 complete responses. From this survey, we learned the following:


   • More than 50% of those surveyed are using the library's computers to access resources at least once a month.


   • 36% of those surveyed have NOT used a computer in the library to access the Internet in the past 12 months.


   • 49% of those surveyed have used their own computer or electronic device to access the library's wireless network in the past 12 months.


   • For 16% of those surveyed, the library is their only point of access to computers and the Internet.

Utilizing the Keystone Initiative for Network Based Education and Research (KINBER) fiber network, this project significantly improves broadband connectivity for users at the Herr Memorial Library in Mifflinburg.  Access to reliable and affordable high speed Internet improves users' ability to discover information and utilize online resources and builds the foundation for the public library to develop as the center of learning in the information age within this rural community.


State Goal: Facilitate the statewide expansion of electronic and physical linkages to coordinate and improve delivery of resources.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$51,098.95
$0.00
$6,528.00
$57,626.95
Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Broadband adoption
Activities
Activity Details
Title: "Procuring equipment"
Narrative:

Access to the KINBER fiber network is a unique opportunity to significantly improve broadband connectivity for users at the Herr Memorial Library in Mifflinburg. In Union County, the limited options available for Internet access are DSL or cable service between 3-12 Mbps. This project provides reliable and affordable 100Mbps broadband connectivity to the Herr Memorial Library through the KINBER network, significantly improving the online and wireless connections.

The equipment involved in building this expanded capacity utilizes point to point licensed microwave technology to direct the KINBER network from a 911 tower in Lewisburg to two relay points and finally to the Herr Memorial Library in Mifflinburg.

The equipment procured with grant funds includes: 6 licensed microwave backhaul radios (2 - 300 megabit, 4 - 700 megabit), 4 licensed microwave dishes, 4 switches, 2 battery backups, 1 outdoor enclosure box, 5 antenna mounts. Equipment has been installed at the four sites and a ping test has been conducted to confirm that the signal and all equipment are working properly.

The project has been coordinated with the assistance of the following partners...

• Union County Commissioners--granted permission to install our equipment on a county 911 tower, act as library advocate to gain permission to access other towers

•  River Valley Internet, a vendor--service provider who provided planning advice, worked on the selection and installation of equipment


• PA State Police's Statewide Radio Network--granted permission to install our equipment on one of their towers


• Mifflinburg Farmers Exchange--granted permission to install our equipment on their grain elevator


Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:


Quantity
Number of equipment acquired: 16
Number of acquired equipment used: 16
Number of hardware items acquired: 6
Number of acquired hardware items used: 6
Number of software items acquired: 0
Number of acquired software items used: 0
Number of materials/supplies acquired: 0
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
30% increase in use of wireless service, based on log-in statistics from new routers, by September 2018. 40% increase (yr 1-20%, next 2 yrs-10%) in patrons who use the library resources, by June 2018.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
Access to reliable, high speed Internet improves users' ability to discover information and utilize online resources Access to reliable, high speed Internet improves users' ability to discover information and utilize online resources
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Other
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:

Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
No
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
No
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: broadband connectivity KINBER