Libraries go wireless

Nearly all Lee County Library System locations now offer wireless access; and the rest will welcome laptops before the end of the year.

"Our patrons love the ease of just bringing in their own laptops, finding a comfy spot and relaxing with all the books and information they need right there. They can also access all the library's e-resources, like Rosetta Stone, a fantastic language learning program, without entering their library card information or waiting for one of the library's Internet Access computers to become available," said Heather O'Connell, Lee County Library System Community Relations Coordinator.

O'Connell says visitors especially love wireless access at peak times, when library computers are heavily used and they often had to wait to log on.

"Not only do those using wireless get to skip the line, but the wait for library computers has gotten shorter, because more people are bringing their own laptops. Wherever we've offered wireless, there's also been an improvement in the speed and quality of the connection for library computers," O'Connell said.

The following Lee County Library System locations are currently up and running with wireless access. They also offer ports for wired laptop users to access the network: Cape Coral - Lee County Public Library, Captiva Memorial Library, East County Regional Library, Fort Myers - Lee County Public Library, Lakes Regional Library, North Fort Myers Public Library, Riverdale Branch Library, and South County Regional Library.

The next libraries to go wireless will be Bonita Springs Public Library and Dunbar - Jupiter Hammon Public Library later this month, with the final installation at Pine Island Public Library before the end of the year.