Library Patrons to Get Faster Access to the Internet

Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) is embarking on a major network upgrade to enhance the redundancy, security, speed and availability of online communications for JCPL patrons.

Enhancements include:

  • increasing the bandwidth of JCPL’s primary connection to the Internet by a factor of five, from 200 megabits per second (Mbps) to a full gigabit per second (Gbps);
  • increasing the bandwidth of networks to its larger libraries from 30 to 100 Mbps and its smaller libraries from 10 to 50 Mbps; and
  • increasing wireless access points across the system so that patrons can get fast, reliable access to the Internet from any point in any library.

“When Jeffco residents approved a mill levy increase for the Library, we promised to update our technology,” said Pat Klein, information technology director, JCPL. “We’re delivering on that promise by upgrading our core technology infrastructure, including servers, routers, firewalls and network connections.”

The network expansion to the Library’s primary Internet connection will be implemented on Sunday, August 14 after the Library closes. Patrons will not have access to their online accounts, the Library’s catalog, or online resources from 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14 to 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 15.

“We planned the implementation to minimize potential disruption to our systems,” Klein explained. “If everything goes as planned, we’ll be back up Monday morning. If we run into problems, we’ll post updates on the Library’s website at jeffcolibrary.org.”

In August and September of this year, JCPL will install additional wireless access points and expand bandwidth to its Belmar, Evergreen, and Standley Lake libraries. Expansion to remaining libraries will be completed by mid-2017.

“We’re making great progress in updating our technology infrastructure,” Klein continued. “Once this upgrade is complete, we expect to conform to industry best practices and adopt more reasonable replacement cycles for IT and network equipment. We want to make sure our patrons have quick and efficient access to whatever information they need, whenever they need it,” he concluded.