THE Government is keen to see the take up of wireless broadband internet access and public libraries could be at the forefront.

As many people sign up to broadband services at home the demand for educational videos and other information is sure to rise.

But linking this up with a wireless network is a bold step and could promote the use of libraries as a central hub.

E-commerce minister Stephen Timms believes high-quality material from the public and private sectors, like medical or educational videos, could be accessed by people in places like public libraries.

Wi-fi or wireless networks allow people with laptops and handheld computers to surf the internet or send and receive data at broadband speeds, provided they have the right wireless equipment.

At wi-fi hotspots, people can log on to these networks, like restaurants, libraries, and schools, without having to plug a cable into a computer.

Not only could people with their own laptop link up to the network, but others could use small computers built into book shelves for example to access multi-media information on a particular subject.

MOST computers still look exactly like they did five or even 10 years ago -- but one company is trying to change all that.

CTM Communication (www.ctm-communications.co.uk) have come up with a machine that has all guts of a computer packed into the back of a flat screen.

And when it is linked up with a cordless keyboard and mouse it really looks the part.

For too long computers have been grey boxes with ever-growing screens that dominate a room and look downright ugly.

And even though other companies have tried different designs, it's only Apple Macs that have taken a different route.

The CTM machine is slightly more expensive than a regular computer but is so quick to get up and running it could quietly sit on a shelf until you were ready to use it.