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Increase in WiFi usage and computer infrastructure needs in libraries
1:24:47
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96 sec
Dennis Walcott provides statistics on the significant increase in WiFi usage at Queens Public Library and discusses the ongoing need for computer infrastructure upgrades.
- WiFi sessions increased from 583,803 in FY23 to 1,755,367 in FY24, a 200.68% increase
- Libraries have expanded WiFi range to serve people up to 150 yards away from branches
- Queens Public Library has an unmet need of $30 million in capital dollars for computer upgrades, both for public use and internal systems
- Internal infrastructure improvements are part of the library's strategic plan but require additional funding
Dennis Walcott
1:24:47
So in response to your question and picking up on council member Lewis' question around metrics, just to give you a metric sense, in fiscal year twenty three we had WiFi sessions 583,803.
1:25:05
In fiscal year twenty four that jumped to 1,755,367.
1:25:12
So a 200.60.68% increase.
1:25:16
And that's as a result of what Linda talked about and all of us are doing with both having the WiFi capacity on on a regular basis as well as what we did in Queens and I imagine our colleagues in Brooklyn and New York as well, expansion of the range of the system as well.
1:25:33
So we've done special projects where in neighborhoods that our branches serve, people able to sit 150 yards away outside and get the services as well.
1:25:43
We have put aside money from prior budgets in upgrading the computers in our computer center that's available for people on a regular basis, but our infrastructure needs around computers continues to increase and we have a basically unmet need of $30,000,000 in capital dollars to deal with the upgrading of our computers both for the public but also our internal needs because our systems, at least I'll speak for Queens, are extremely old.
1:26:14
So that's part of our strategic plan as well.
1:26:17
The internal infrastructure improvement that we need to focus on and that requires additional money.