WiFi Hotspots - Bring The Internet Home
San Mateo County Library, Calif.
Innovation Synopsis
Through the WiFi Hotspot program, a new and innovative pilot initiative to lend mobile Wi-Fi access, the San Mateo County Library (SMCL) initiates a new model of public internet access in which the Library works with commercial wireless carriers to lend internet access to our patrons at home.
Challenge/Opportunity
In 2013, California Connects estimated that the percentage of households in San Mateo County not subscribing to broadband was in the range of 19-32%. Though broadband in County reaches 99% of households through DSL/cable, nearly 38% of San Mateo County households earn less than $50,000 a year, making affordability a significant factor amplifying the digital divide. The program addresses the digital broadband gap in our communities by providing free Wi-Fi mobile hotspots and laptops for home use. In conjunction with the Library’s outreach programs we hope to expand reading, learning, and creativity to targeted underserved populations in the County. The program intends to enable households to continue education activities at home and help families learn and use the internet responsibly and build digital confidence.
Key Elements of Innovation
Planning the new WiFi Hotspot service, SMCL partnered with Mobile Beacon to implement the pilot program in the communities we serve. Mobile Beacon works with non-profits, schools, and libraries to provide affordable internet access. In its work, Mobile Beacon partners with TechSoup, which in-turn provides donated Wi-Fi devices to libraries and non-profit organizations. SMCL partnered with both Mobile Beacon and TechSoup to provide devices and broadband access to our Bay-side communities. The coastal communities were more of a challenge and we had to go with Verizon, a commercial carrier that has a relatively good coverage area in the coastal area.
Achieved Outcomes
San Mateo County households with need will have access to the SMCL WiFi Hotspot lending Wi-Fi hotspots and tablet/laptop computers, providing a complete home broadband experience where it was not available before. The goals of this program are to:
- Increase household access to at-home broadband internet
- Build internet and computing skills in communities with need
- Increase community engagement with library learning resources and services
- Establish a new library model for expanding its core internet and digital services
San Mateo County Library will evaluate the pilot program and work to expand the number of Wi-Fi hotspots and add tablets to the program.
