The press conference showed off multipoint video conferencing equipment that connects to points around the state, and to countless other points around the world.
Fourteen Vermont libraries received the equipment through a $77,000 donation from Google. Each location received a modern laptop, high-end microphone, camera and large-screen, high-definition television, along with a wheeled stand to hold all of it.
Montpelier joined in the network with Berlin, Bradford, Brattleboro, Burlington, Lyndonville, Middlebury, Rutland, Arlington, Morrisville, Newport, St. Albans, Williston and Woodstock.
Library and government officials participated in the conference from five libraries around the state. While the sound briefly cut out toward the end, participants were otherwise clearly audible and visible.
In Montpelier, Lt. Gov. Phil Scott said the technology offered a number of opportunities.
“Integrating the libraries we have, making them more relevant in the future and the present, is so important,” he said.
“We’re a rural state. It’s difficult to get people to come here to visit, come to our schools,” Scott added. “You get a NASA engineer or scientist to address a class for 15 to 20 minutes — that face-to-face interaction is so important.”
Matt Dunne, a representative of Google speaking from the Norman Williams Public Library in Woodstock, noted that Vermont is not always the easiest state to travel around, especially in the winter, and that ready access to cloud-based video conferencing could benefit small businesses and the boards of statewide nonprofit groups.
“We’re always talking about how we have been missed by certain parts of infrastructure in the state,” said Randal Smathers, assistant director of the Rutland Free Library. “On the electronic front, this is a great equalizer for us. ... It’s kind of leveled the playing field in terms of connectivity. That’s a big deal for us in Rutland.”
Smathers said the library had already used the setup to talk to faraway contractors on how to better use its space. He envisioned concerts and TED lectures on a variety of subjects. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design.
“It’s going to evolve,” he said. “I don’t know how people will use this technology ... but I will say it will be important for our users. They will use it in ways that will surprise and enlighten us.”
For detailed information, please visit State gears up for the video age
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