Wireless Laptops and Network Cards in the Library

The Library provides wireless laptops for NIST employees and guest researchers to use in the NIST Research Library. 

We also have wireless network cards for those users who wish to use their NIST laptops to access the Library's wireless network. 

Wireless Laptops
The Library Circulation Desk has six laptops available for loan.  Each Dell Latitude laptop is outfitted to send and receive information wirelessly via the NIST internal network and comes with a battery, touch pad, 14-inch monitor, and either a 3.5" or CD-RW disk drive inserted into the peripheral drive bay. (Laptops have CD-RW disk drives by default.  You may request a 3.5" disk drive if you prefer.) 

The Technology
The laptops connect to a WLAN that uses 802.11b technology, the IEEE wireless network standard, and will provide transmission speeds up to 11 Mbps.  Wireless access points are located throughout the NIST Research Library. The Library's wireless network is secured using WiFi Protected Access or WPA protocol.

The Procedure
You can check out a laptop for three hours at a time.  Checkout period is renewable provided others are not waiting.

You will sign a Responsibility Agreement before borrowing a wireless laptop for the first time.  Then show your NIST ID at the Circulation Desk whenever you want to borrow a laptop to use in the library or on the adjacent patio.

The WLAN is operational from 8:45 AM - 4:45 PM, M-F.  Times are governed automatically by a firewall.

Using Your NIST Laptop
Here’s how it works. Contact Michael Munoz at x4143 or send an e-mail to make an appointment to have your NIST-owned laptop configured for our network. Please give us one day’s notice for scheduling your appointment.

Systems Requirements are:

• Windows 2000 Professional or XP Professional
• Latest Windows update patches
• Norton Antivirus Software with latest antivirus definition files

If need be, we will lend you a network card and configure your NIST laptop to work with it and with our wireless access points.

For questions about this or to schedule an appointment to have your laptop configured, please e-mail or call the Information Desk at x3052.

Wireless Network Cards
Like Library laptops, the wireless network card may be checked out for 3 hours at a time. 

Using a PDA
We are currently investigating wireless access for PDAs. Please contact us to learn more.

Connectivity Area
The wireless laptops can be used anywhere within the NIST Research Library and on the porch outside the Reading Room. Operational access points are located on all three floors of the library.

The Responsibility Agreement
Each borrower will sign a Responsibility Agreement that will be kept on file for the duration of the fiscal year. Users will need to complete a new form each fiscal year. Borrower agrees to be held liable for replacement charges if the laptop is lost or damaged.The cost of a laptop is $2,000.

Reserving Equipment
Customers can call the Circulation Desk to reserve a laptop or network card.

For Help with Equipment
Bring the laptop to the Information Desk if you have software questions or problems with equipment.

Last modified: Mar 22, 2007