Taking pro-action: A survey of potential users before the availability of wireless access and the implementation of a wireless notebook computer lending program in an academic library

Purpose – The purpose of the article is to gauge reaction to the implementation of a wireless laptop lending program in a university library before it actually became operational and wireless access itself became available.Design/methodology/approach – This online survey consisted of 22 multiple choice questions that all Monmouth University students and employees were invited by e‐mail to answer.Findings – The vast majority of responses came from students, and most of them were ready for wireless access in the library and across campus. Several re‐emphasized in text their desire to log‐on to the network with their own laptops.Research limitations/implications – The survey ran for only two weeks, and yet, because tabulation was done by hand, a response rate ten times greater would have made our method impracticable.Practical implications – This kind of survey is comparatively easy and fast to implement. It lends itself to follow‐up surveys to measure the success of a wireless computer program or other tech...