Internet Access at your Local Libaries?

gettingOnline asks: "I work for a library that will soon offer public access to our network. You come in with your network ready portable computer, change your config to use DHCP, plug in, and you have T1 access to the net. Other libraries are offering this service already, and there's no doubt we will offer it, no matter what the security issues are. What I want to know from all of the network gurus out there is what we can do, short of creating a separate network, to minimize risk without limiting internet access."

Comments

start with your library cards?

[kootch]

why not add a tiny bit of restrictiveness to the system just to prevent people from acting stupid and believing that they are untraceable.

I've seen systems that when you try your first connection using DHCP, you need to input a username and password... often used in new highrise apt complexes that come with broadband.

make the user put in their library card name and number. hell, it's very little information for providing them with broadband access, right?

but I think this might also help when budget time rolls around and the state/county/etc asks you to justify your cost. you then show them usage stats and show how it is a desired service.

I also see lots of other marketing benefits, but it'll take too long to go into them.