Letter: Public Wi-Fi nothing to celebrate

EDITOR:
Response to article, Permanent Wireless Coming Soon to [Scotts Valley] Library (Sept. 2, page 7): This boasting about wireless at a time when other countries such as Germany are banning wireless activity in schools. In fact France took the ultimate responsibility by not only banning the use of cell phones in schools but removing wi-fi from schools and the entire national library system (the most highly respected library system in the world) as well as the Sorbonne University. Ireland has also removed wi-fi from its schools. The International Association of Firefighters has opposed cellular antennas on fire stations. The list really does go on and on.
But lastly, The Progressive Librarian’s Guild in America (2008) recommend ‘that via their professional organizations, information workers address the risks of wireless technology in public spaces, take steps in learning about the risks of wireless in terms of exposure and impact on library services, monitor wireless technology in their facilities, critically evaluate and adopt alternatives to wireless technology especially in children’s sections of libraries, create warning signage on risks of wi-fi throughout their libraries, and act as a community resource in the public education on wireless technologies.
In light of such widespread response to eradicate wi-fi, the title should be “Warning: Permanent Exposure to Wi-Fi at Scotts Valley Library”.
Gerald Conrad, Scotts Valley