New York Public Library to offer free Wi-Fi to needy users
New York public libraries will soon lend out Wi-Fi hot spots to low-income members who can’t afford Internet at home.
Beginning in September, residents will be able to rent Wi-Fi devices
for up to a year from New York Public Library branches in areas with
low-Internet connectivity.
But the free Wi-Fi won’t be available to everybody. Only those
enrolled in the library’s adult-learning or after-school programs can
borrow a device.
“We see a definite need in our branches — people
don’t have Wi-Fi at
home. They depend on us for their broadband,” said library spokeswoman
Angela Montefinise.
The “Check Out the Internet” program will be paid for with a $500,000
grant from the Knight Foundation and through library fund-raising.
NYPL, which has branches in Manhattan, The Bronx and Staten Island,
hopes to purchase 10,000 Wi-Fi devices.
Beginning in September, residents will be able to rent Wi-Fi devices
for up to a year from New York Public Library branches in areas with
low-Internet connectivity.
But the free Wi-Fi won’t be available to everybody. Only those
enrolled in the library’s adult-learning or after-school programs can
borrow a device.
“We see a definite need in our branches — people
don’t have Wi-Fi at
home. They depend on us for their broadband,” said library spokeswoman
Angela Montefinise.
The “Check Out the Internet” program will be paid for with a $500,000
grant from the Knight Foundation and through library fund-raising.
NYPL, which has branches in Manhattan, The Bronx and Staten Island,
hopes to purchase 10,000 Wi-Fi devices.
