Gathering information using your local library has changed in the last 30 years. A portal to information, a library provides books and resources to get you what you need. As computers became an easier way to get information, they began appearing in local libraries. When libraries first had computers, they were used to access information through floppy disks and CD-ROMs. More recently, internet access has become a service in and of itself. Our patrons need the internet to complete daily tasks, from paying bills and applying for jobs to getting tickets to the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. Furthermore, with the acceleration of hybrid and virtual work, people appreciate high-speed internet to ensure those virtual meetings stay connected. This is where our local Washoe County Library has stepped up to provide everyone with access.
Seniors, students, and residents of rural areas need the most help staying connected. Over the past three years, we have received grant funding and created new programs to ensure no one in Washoe County is left behind.
Washoe County Library received a $2.3 million award to expand high-speed fiber internet to the Gerlach Library. Using Federal E-Rate funding and collaborating with Washoe County, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, and Governor Lombardo’s office has resulted in a 1GBPS internet connection in Gerlach. This means that residents and visitors now have access to a high-speed internet connection, ensuring no one is left behind in this digital age.
Thanks to the Emergency Connectivity Fund, supported by the Federal E-rate program, we provided hotspots and Chromebooks to several locations in northern Washoe County. This initiative has had a significant impact, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students living in rural areas, such as Wadsworth, Nixon, Hungry Valley, and Sutcliffe, were previously disconnected from their classes due to poor internet connectivity. With these new hotspots and Chromebooks, they can now stay connected with their studies, regardless of the circumstances.
Our library system also assessed our internet connectivity at our branches and found that we were not meeting the demand for virtual meetings. Patrons faced significant lag times when needing to accomplish basic tasks. Thanks to the Federal E-rate program, which provides a 60% discount for our internet, we were able to upgrade all our connections to high-speed fiber 1GBPS internet. You will have the same access if you connect to our Wi-Fi at the Downtown Reno Library or the Verdi Community Library.
Our commitment goes beyond providing high-speed connections; it’s about fostering human connections. Our librarians are dedicated to serving the community, offering technology classes and programs such as Book a Librarian, in which patrons can work one-on-one with our staff to learn how to use their equipment and accomplish their goals. We are here to serve with dedication and creativity. Whether you’re interested in our high-speed internet, Zoom rooms, technology classes, or just want to hang out at the library, we’re here for you!
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