Contact: Jeff Morgan, Jeff.Morgan@iowa.gov, (515) 281-3858

(DES MOINES) – The State Historical Building now offers free wireless connection to the Internet, in partnership with Iowa Telecom.

Visitors who bring a wireless-enabled PDA or laptop may now connect to the Internet for free in most areas of the building, including Café Baratta’s, the library and outdoor terraces. Brochures with instructions and technical assistance information for using a wireless connection will be available throughout the building.

“The wireless option will be a great asset for historical researchers who use the Internet to find immediate information about their topics,” said Cyndi Pederson, director of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. “It will also be a tremendous benefit for groups that reserve meeting space in the building and require Internet access.”

The wireless high-speed Internet access is powered by Iowa Telecom and is based upon the 802.11 wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) standards commonly found in coffee shops, airports, motels and other Wi-Fi “hot spots.”

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for developing the state’s interest in the areas of the arts, history and other cultural matters with the advice and assistance from its two divisions, the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. The DCA preserves, researches, interprets and promotes an awareness and understanding of local, state and regional history and stimulates and encourages the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation in them. It implements tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the general assembly and designs a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. More information about DCA is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.

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