Gainesville, Fla. – Alachua County Library District added 100 more WiFi2Go mobile hotspots for check out on Monday, Aug. 23 thanks to another donation from the Alachua County Library District Foundation.
The Library District launched the WiFi2Go collection in April 2021 with 100 hotspots funded by a $36,000 donation from the Foundation. Alachua County library cardholders can check out a hotspot for seven days and connect up to five devices to the internet at once with no fees or data limits.
From April 1 through Aug. 20, the hotspots checked out 1,147 times. In July, the Foundation’s board members donated another $36,000 to double the WiFi2Go collection.
“The Foundation has been very pleased with the success of the initial WiFi2Go program and is very pleased to be able to fund a second phase, providing for another 100 hotpots. Our funding for this program is possible thanks to a generous anonymous donor, the efforts of our Associates, and the donations of the many supporters of the library,” said ACLD Foundation Vice Chair Mitzi Austin. “The Board and Associates of the Foundation are impressed with the far-sighted efforts of the Library District in going beyond the traditional books to provide service to the community.”
Alachua County library cardholders can reserve hotspots using the online catalog by searching for “WiFi2Go” or by calling any branch. Patrons can return WiFi2Go hotspots to any library branch.
“We are thrilled to expand this important service and grateful for the Foundation’s support,” said Library Director Shaney T. Livingston. “The WiFi2Go program is a huge success, and these additional hot spots will allow us to connect even more patrons with reliable internet access.”
In addition to WiFi2Go, the Library District offers computers with Internet access for public use for free at all 12 locations. Free WiFi is also available at all library locations.
Visit www.aclib.us/wifi2go for frequently asked questions. To schedule an interview, please contact Rachel Cook at 352-334-3909 or rcook@aclib.us. High-resolution pictures of WiFi2Go are available for download and media use at bit.ly/3frvDB2.