Information Research Weblog

There's a debate (sometimes bad-tempered) going on at the Library and Information Technology discussion list as to the deleterious effects of wi-fi networks in libraries. This results from one college librarian having resigned because the college authorities refused to discuss the issue.

As far as I can see, there's not a lot of work specifically on wi-fi networks: most research seems to be concerned with mobile phones. However, this bit of work seems interesting and, perhaps, puts the debate into some kind of rational context:

J. Boyle Wireless technologies and patient safety in hospitals.
Telemed J E Health. 2006 Jun;12(3):373-82.

CSIRO E-Health Research Centre, a joint venture between Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and the Queensland Government, Brisbane, Australia. Justin.Boyle@csiro.au
In the development of policies for wireless technologies, it is important for healthcare organizations to reduce risks to patients from use of wireless devices. Policy should be devised for instructing hospital staff, visitors, and patients, avoiding unwarranted restrictions but not ignoring evidence regarding potential interference problems, and allowing comparison with other clinical facilities of benefits of policy. To inform policy developers and a general audience of hospital personnel, a review was conducted on the safety of wireless devices for communication within hospitals. This review targeted electromagnetic interference effects of devices on medical devices and summarises key recommendations from published reports and international standards. There is consensus that the highest risk of interference occurs with two-way radios used by emergency crews, followed by mobile phones, while radio local area networks produce negligible interference. Wireless technologies are deemed suitable for use throughout hospital areas including intensive care units and operating rooms, given that recommended separation distances from medical equipment are observed.

There's other work on similar lines suggesting that wi-fi networks are OK to use in hospitals - and if there, why not in libraries?

As an aside, why is it that some people are unable to participate in online discussions without becoming abusive?