The Sacramento Public Library, in partnership with the City of Sacramento and local community-based organizations, is helping to bring internet services to local communities by providing more than 1,400 Wi-Fi hotspots to eligible residents impacted by COVID-19.
Residents wanting to access these hotspots can either apply to get a hotspot to keep for free (which includes one year of free service) or they can check one out of the library to use for up to six weeks.
These devices can transmit Wi-Fi from the car, a park or anywhere the device goes.
“In the wake of this unprecedented global pandemic, it is more vital than ever that that we provide reliable internet access to communities that lack digital access,” said Maria MacGunigal, the City’s chief information officer. “This partnership with the library will allow us to provide residents with immediate access through the library’s new hotspot check-out feature and help our communities through 2021. Thank you to the library for their commitment to help deliver internet resources to those in need.”
The program is part of the City of Sacramento’s Digital Equity Response program and is funded by $89 million the City received from the federal CARES act.
“The pandemic has demonstrated how acute the digital divide is in Sacramento,” said Library Deputy Director Jarrid Keller. “So many in our community are struggling without access to reliable, affordable broadband at home. These Wi-Fi hotspots will provide one year of connectivity for city residents at a time when digital connections are essential to our daily life from distance learning and remote work to media consumption and job searching.”
City of Sacramento residents can apply for an AT&T hotspot, which provides internet access for up to one year, while supplies last. To be eligible to request a hotspot, those interested must be a City of Sacramento resident who has been impacted by COVID-19. To apply for a hotspot, call (916) 264-2920 or visit www.saclibrary.org/hotspots.
Hotspots also can be checked out various libraries for up to six weeks. The hotspots will be available for check-out until December 2021 at these locations:
- Belle Cooledge
- Central
- Colonial Heights
- Del Paso Heights
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- McKinley
- North Natomas
- North Sacramento – Hagginwood
- Robbie Waters Pocket-Greenhaven
- South Natomas
- Valley Hi-North Laguna
For more information about hotspots at the library, visit www.saclibrary.org/hotspots.
Learn more about the City’s Digital Equity Response Program.