County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper, in partnership with Erick Friedman, director of IT for Erie
County, and Erie County Public Library announce the expansion of the reach of Wi-Fi networks at all Erie County Public Library locations. This move will help increase accessibility to the internet at a time when Erie County residents are most in need of access.
Wi-Fi logins and internet lab usage ranked consistently high in Erie County Public Library’s statistics before the closure.
“For many patrons, our free public Wi-Fi is the library’s most valuable service,” said Sheryl Thomas, assistant director of Erie County Public Library. “Though ECPL is not able to offer in-person computer labs, we can now offer expanded access to Wi-Fi even while the library facilities are closed.”
Seeking to provide this essential service to patrons, library administration brought the idea to expand Wi-Fi offerings to the county’s IT department who sourced the necessary equipment, installed it at each library location, and completed setup for a May 1 start date.
“Implementing this project on short notice and with scarce equipment in the marketplace was a tremendous team effort between resourceful local vendors, an amazing facilities department and our world class IT team,” Friedman said.
The Wi-Fi network at each Erie County Public Library location may now be accessed from anywhere in the library’s parking lot or within approximately 100 feet from the buildings.
“We hope this service will benefit the many residents needing free internet access,” Dahlkemper said, “but it is imperative that patrons observe proper protocol while using this free service to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from other users and wearing a mask to protect others in the area will be enforced.”
