Westmoreland libraries to provide free Wi-Fi outside buildings through covid relief money

Westmoreland libraries will provide around the clock free Wi-Fi as part of a program that county officials said will help to ensure residents have expanded access to the internet.

A $145,000 grant will be made to the Westmoreland County Federated Library System to install equipment that will broadcast hotspots for internet access up to about 300 feet from most the system’s 25 buildings, commissioners said.

“A lot of people don’t have access to the internet, and this will allow people to have it even if the libraries are closed,” Commissioner Gina Cerilli said. “We’re trying to do as much as we can do to expand broadband for the county by Dec. 31.”

The money comes from $31.5 million in federal coronavirus relief funds the county received from the state. Much of those funds were designated to assist local governments, nonprofits and small business, to which commissioners are expected to make grant awards this month.

County officials initially set aside some money to pay for expansion of broadband services. But with a federal requirement the money be spent by year’s end, commissioners said the libraries will be efficient use of infrastructure already in place.

“This will enable to people without internet to gather outside of the libraries to do business or school,” Commissioner Doug Chew said.

Commissioners said installing hotspot locations in county parks is being considered as well as other locations where Wi-Fi access could be provided.

“We have to look to see how people are using it before we consider additional sites,” Commissioner Sean Kertes said.

For the last year, the county has participated in a regional study with seven other counties to assess broadband needs in the region. That study is in the final stages and a report is expected to soon be completed, Planning Director Jason Rigone said.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has left so many residents working from home or attending school remotely, intensified the need for internet access, he said.

The idea to use the countywide library system will serve as a short-term solution to improve internet access and enable the county to access federal stimulus funds to do so, Rigone said.

“This is a fix for now until a larger, more substantial infrastructure can be put into place,” he said.

Cesare Muccari, executive director of the county’s library system, said most local libraries have internet service that can broadcast up to 90 feet outside of their buildings. The new equipment will enable free Wi-Fi access for a much wider area and be available around the clock, even when libraries are closed and to those who sit outside or in parked vehicles up to a football field distance away from the buildings.

“We feel the libraries need to be responsive to the people in our area,” Muccari said. “And if you don’t have internet access you will be left behind.”

Commissioners are expected to formally award the grant on Thursday. Then the libraries will begin the process to buy and install the new equipment, with the project hopefully completed by November, Muccari said.

All but two libraries, Norwin and New Alexandria, agreed to participate, Muccari said.

Norwin Library Director Diana Falk said she declined because her facility already provides internet access outside the Irwin facility.

“It would be redundant equipment,” Falk said.

New Alexandria library officials could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.