Network Access and Laptop Checkout

Wireless Access

Wireless access is available throughout the Divinity Library.

Windows users who wish to have wireless network access in the Divinity Library should have a wireless-ready laptop with a Cisco Aironet Wireless network interface card (NIC). They can obtain the appropriate NIC from Network Computing Services; contact information is available on the ITS Campus Wireless Network page under the heading "How do I order wireless LAN cards for myself or my department? To configure your system correctly, go to the wireless SSID page. (A VUNet ID and password is needed to access this page.)

Patrons at these locations with wireless-ready laptops and the appropriate network interface card are able to use ACORN and all web-based library databases, electronic journals, electronic books, and other research tools. Access to CD-ROM research tools is available at library workstations in the lobby or Reference area.

Support for on-campus use of wireless technology is available at the ITS Help Desk.

Wired Access

Public access network ports for laptops are available in the Divinity Library Reference Room.

• Three ports are on the floor to the right of the small table immediately in front of you as you enter the Reference Room.
• Two ports are on the floor in the northwest corner of the Reference Room (on the window side of the room near the desk carrels).

Patrons with properly configured laptops and with network cables can use network ports to carry out research, send e-mail, or simply surf the web.

You will need to provide your own network cable; help with configuring your laptop (if configuration is necessary) can be obtained from the Information Technology Services (ITS) Help Desk.

Laptop Checkout

The library system has made available Dell laptops which can be checked out by patrons, for a loan period of 8 hours with no renewals. Most of the laptops are configured both with wireless network cards and a network card to connect to wired ports. If you are interested in using one of these laptops, it would be good to speak with one of the library staff, or you can consult this FAQ page about the circulating laptops.