Why Town Librarians Need to 'Clear the Cache'

I had no idea that Trumbull is one of the best small towns to live in according to RelocateAmerica.com. Nor did I know that Money Magazine placed Trumbull in the top 100 places to live in 2007 and 2009. Guess how I found this information? On the Internet, using my home wireless connection.

Another question for you: if I needed to get work done that required an internet connection and I didn’t want to pay for WiFi, where would I go? Answer: not the town library.

It’s an unfortunate truth that Trumbull’s two libraries simply do not have enough wireless connections.

In an effort to understand why I need to visit the Information Desk and ask a librarian to “clear the cache” every time I’d like to use a WiFi connection, I was directed to Mary Rogers.

Rogers is the Associate Director for Information Systems in the Trumbull Library system and point person for technical issues.

According to Rogers, the main branch only has twelve ports devoted to wireless service.

“When the network was created fifteen to twenty years ago, the library was allotted 125 ports,” she explains. “Every computer in our system needs a distinct IP and since our service computers, printers, etc. use up about 85 percent of the ports, there are not many left over.”

To compound matters, Rogers says that new iPods, iPhones and Droids are interfering with the remaining twelve ports. “Unfortunately, these devices automatically pick up a port when the person walks into the building,” Rogers says.

“This is a major issue,” admits Rogers, but it is an issue that will likely not be resolved for some time. In order for the problem to be fixed, “the network would have to be refigured completed.” And that takes time – time that town’s Technology Department doesn’t have just yet, according to Rogers.

“They are aware of the wireless issue, but there are more pressing problems,” she said.

So what is the average Trumbullite to do when she needs to use the library’s WiFi? First, hope that other Trumbullites remember to turn off their mobile device’s WiFi and use 3G.

Second, make the trek to the information desk so that a kind librarian can “clear the cache.”

Finally, hope that the two town “Tech guys” find it in their heart to fix the problem soon.

(Editor’s note: at a Feb. 22 meeting of the Board of Finance, the town’s technology officials asked for funding to upgrade networks, among other things. Also, traditionally, the library has relied on private funding for much of its computer needs.)

The opinions expressed here do not neceessarily reflect the views of Trumbull Patch.