Sonoma library offers free outdoor internet signal

You can’t go inside the library right now, what with Covid and all, but you can check out the internet with free WiFi outside the building at 755 West Napa St. 

Sonoma Valley Regional Library patrons can now access wireless internet from in front of the library. No password is neccesary.

“The library is excited to provide 24/7 internet access outside of our building for the community,” said Sonoma Valley Regional Library Manager Diana Spaulding. “During the pandemic, the digital divide has become even more of a gulf. Lack of high-speed internet prevents many people from maintaining crucial connections to schools, jobs, medical care, social services, and, of course, online library resources.”

The signal covers the patio areas with picnic tables and seating on the east side of the library between the front door and Napa Street. The parking lot behind the library also has a strong WiFi signal, she said.

The Sonoma Valley Library Advisory Board approved $7,078 to fund the project from monies distributed to the library from the Jane P. Kunde Charitable Trust. The grant covers equipment, cabling, and installation, and the library will pay the monthly data fees.

Sonoma Valley Library Advisory Board Member Mario Castillo said “We need to do everything in our power to make sure everyone is taking advantage of all the wonderful free services the library has, and providing/expanding WiFi is a good start in that direction. Especially during this time that the library is closed to the public because of Covid-19.”

Sonoma County Library has focused its efforts on providing wireless internet to the community for years. In April 2019, the library began lending hundreds of WiFi hotspots to its patrons. Dubbed “SonomaFi,” the hotspots allow library patrons who cannot afford broadband, or who have a poor connection, to “borrow the internet, “and create a convenient connection wherever they are.

Prior to the hotspot program, the library offered free high-speed WiFi and public computers in all branches. The WiFi expansion at the Sonoma branch is part of the SonomaFi project.

Missing your favorite local library? Take your favorite library materials home with curbside pickup! Additionally, your online library never closes. Sonoma County Library resources are online 24/7 at sonomalibrary.org, including thousands of films, TV shows, eBooks, databases, magazines, classes, videogames and more.