The Pottsville Free Public Library is now among the public libraries in Schuylkill County offering free Wi-Fi access.
The Friends of the Pottsville Free Public Library, a volunteer group established in 1997, paid OMI Technologies Inc., Pottsville, to install the system. It cost $3,529, Nancy J. Smink, library director, said Thursday.
"The Friends group gets that money through fundraising, which includes book sales, pie and candy sales and membership. We have 75 members. To be a member, we only ask for an annual contribution. So you can pay $10 a year and be a member of the Friends," Frances Lorenz, president and founder of the Friends, said Thursday.
Changing times inspired the library administration to adopt a wireless Internet connection, affording Internet access to those with portable lap tops and iPads.
"People would come in and ask if we had Wi-Fi. We're a helpful staff, so we would point people to places in the city where Wi-Fi was available. By having it, we'll be able to offer visitors more service," Smink said.
It went online Monday. On Thursday morning, Smink and Lorenz tested the system using Smink's lap top.
"Before, people who wanted to use a computer here would have to sign in at the front desk and hope that one was available. Now, they can bring in their own unit to use the Internet. But you still have to go to the front desk to find out what the password is," Smink said.
According to representatives of local libraries contacted Thursday, most of the libraries in Schuylkill County have acquired Wi-Fi over the past two years.
Other libraries in the county which offer free Wi-Fi include: Ashland Public Library, Frackville Free Public Library, Mahanoy City Public Library, Minersville Public Library, North Dauphin Library, Lykens, Orwigsburg Area Free Public Library, Ringtown Public Library, Shenandoah Area Free Public Library, Tamaqua Free Public Library and Tower Porter Community Library, Tower City.
Those that don't have Wi-Fi include: Janet Eich Port Carbon Library, Schuylkill Haven Free Public Library, Tremont Area Free Public Library and Tri-Valley Public Library, Hegins.
According to Mary Grigalonis, library director at Minersville Public Library, her library has had the service for about a year.
"For us, it cost about $335. It was a one-time charge and it works like a charm," she said Thursday.
The cost for installation will be different for every library, depending on its size, Smink said.
Pottsville Free Public Library is still in the process of developing its rules regarding Wi-Fi use. To use it, patrons will be required to ask for a username and password at the front desk, Smink said.
"At our library, the only thing you have to do to use the Wi-Fi is get a library card," Tom Seiberling, library director at Mahanoy City Public Library, said Thursday.
Pottsville library might not require users to have a library card, Smink said.
"That's still being discussed," she said.
However, users of all computers inside the Pottsville Free Public Library building are required to abide by an "Internet Access Policy" the library adopted in 1997, Smink said.
It includes information for both parents and children.
"As with all other library materials, parents or guardians must assume responsibility for their children's use of the Internet through the library's connection. Parents or guardians may restrict their children from access to Internet resources accessible through the library. Parents are advised to supervise their children's Internet access," according to the policy.
User responsibilities include refraining from illegal or unethical use of the Internet and viewing websites that may be considered obscene.
"Viewing of certain materials in the public library may be considered improper in time, place and manner. Viewing obscene materials in the public library is considered improper in time, place and manner. The library reserves the right to end an Internet session at any time if it is creating a disturbance," according to the policy.