Library and Technology Services' new Laptop Connect service, which provides amenities such as laptop docking stations, chargers and wireless printing to Brandeis laptop users, began operation last Monday, according to LTS Director of Integrated Services Josh Wilson. The program includes 12 laptop docking stations on the mezzanine level of the Farber Library, each of which includes a monitor, keyboard and mouse that laptops can be hooked into for easier use. Students and faculty will now be able to use their laptops to print on library printers from anywhere on campus.

Laptop Connect has also provided power cables, video adapters and keyboards that students can borrow from the circulation desk.

The program is in its pilot phase, said Wilson, and will soon include lockers in which students will be able to charge their laptops. If students use the services provided, LTS will expand the program and purchase more equipment. Wilson said that the program will be assessed at the end of the year to determine whether it should be expanded.

"We know from the survey research that we do every year that about 97 or 98 percent of students actually have laptops with them [while in the library]," said Wilson. "We wanted to try to respond to that and help students use their laptops more comfortably, because our sense is that if everyone has one, then probably they want to use them," he continued.

LTS conducts two surveys in the spring of each year that focus on computing and on services provided. The services survey is sent to a random sample of 700 students in which all of the classes are represented, and the computing survey is sent to the entire student body with a focus on seniors and first-years. From these surveys, Wilson said, "we've discovered that students have begun to value and use public computing resources a little bit less. . Laptop Connect was in response to that. What we did was put together a series of services related to laptops."

"[Laptop Connect] is not a money saver," said Wilson. He continued, "This service was definitely a cost and not a savings, but it was only a small cost and we thought it was the right thing to do."

The money for the project is coming from the LTS budget for the year. Wilson said, "Every year we have money to do neat projects, and this is something like that."

Jon Sussman '11, an employee at the library's circulation desk, said that he had not seen a great deal of promotion for the program. "I feel that some people know about it," he said. He continued, "I definitely don't think that there's been an advertising push for it. I feel like more people could know about it."

"We put an announcement in the Student Union newsletter, there is an article on the LTS Web site, and there is signage throughout [the library]," said Wilson of LTS' efforts to publicize the service. "We could have done a lot more, but it's a pilot service. . The thing with pilots is that they start small and expand. . We're in the start small phase."

Lilis Suryani (GRAD) said that although she spends a lot of time in the library, she had not heard about the Laptop Connect service. After learning about the amenities, though, she said, "That would be great.