Islanders can now access free wireless Internet in all public library branches as part of the Prince Edward Island government’s commitment to enhancing library services and improving access to technology in rural areas, says Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Henderson.
“This service will benefit Islanders who are not connected to the Internet at home, particularly in rural Prince Edward Island, as well as library members who take their laptops to their local branch to study or research,” said the minister. “In addition, many tourists visit our library branches looking for internet access and can now take advantage of this service.”
Prince Edward Island is the first province in Canada to offer Wi-Fi in all public libraries. Islanders can log on to the wireless network at all 26 branches of the Prince Edward Island Public Library Service from their personal laptops or other portable devices with wireless capabilities. Library employees will provide users with a password necessary to access the network.
The Prince Edward Island Public Library Service plays an important role in reducing the barriers Islanders may face in accessing technology. In addition to having computers available for use by library card holders, the branches offer a variety of computer courses and have eBooks and audio books available to borrow.
More than 800,000 books, CDs and audio-books are circulated annually from the Prince Edward Island Public Library Service, www.library.pe.ca.