The Garnet A. Wilson Public Library has received a grant from the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO), who partnered with Facebook and T-Mobile to help address the region’s digital divide. The I’m a Child of Appalachia® Fund at the FAO is working with Facebook and T-Mobile to improve internet access for students and families. Our library will circulate 20 T-Mobile WiFi Hotspot Devices thanks to this program.
Library patrons age 18 or older are able to check out the devices just like books. This program will help individuals access remote learning, telehealth, remote work and other vital services. Compared to the state’s non-Appalachian region, Appalachian Ohio experiences slower internet connections and fewer households are connected to the internet. The library is excited to not only provide in-house WiFi access and internet, but also is excited that patrons can now take the internet home with them!
The program will also support library systems in Adams, Athens, Harrison, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Morgan and Vinton Counties, offering a total of 240 hotspots. The Garnet A. Wilson Public Library is thrilled to establish a hotspot lending program! Circulation of these devices will begin mid-November. Stop in to get the details!