Libraries will receive over £2.6m in funding to provide free WiFi to users, according to Arts Council England.
The Arts Council announced today that 68 local authorities are to receive a total of £2,646,078 in funding to provide and enhance free WiFi to library users in over 1,000 libraries.
This is part of a plan to ensure over 98% of public libraries have easily accessible Wifi by March 2016.
Culture minister, Ed Vaizey, described it as ‘a vital step to ensuring that all public libraries can provide WiFi access to their communities'.
‘As more services become available online,’ he continued, ‘this will increasingly make libraries the place to go for people who don't have the access or the confidence to use digital services.’
The increased funding will help libraries extend their services and tackle digital exclusion by making it easier for people to develop their digital skills.
The increase in funding is part of the Arts Council’s WiFi in Public Libraries in England fund, which is being delivered on behalf of the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS).
