City Of Boston: Access To Outdoor Work/learn Spaces Expanded At Boston Public Library Branches

Press release from the City of Boston:

June 16, 2021

Mayor Kim Janey, in collaboration with the Boston Public Library (BPL), the Environment Department, and the Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, will install outdoor pop-up connected work/learn spaces at six locations and continue offering free, 24-hour Wi-Fi at 14 of its branches. The BPL Outdoor Wi-Fi pop-ups will provide desks, additional lighting, and shade structures, allowing users to get online after hours and stay cool on hotter days. This project is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to expand equitable internet access, support community resilience, and create new points of community connection for residents emerging from a year of social distancing and increased social isolation. 

Shade structures, Wi-Fi, and seating installed at Codman Square Branch Library

Pop-up workstations at the Brighton, Codman Square, Mattapan, and Grove Hall branch libraries will be installed in the month of June. As part of the City's Climate Ready Boston program, the Mayor's Office of Environment, Energy, and Open Space will add two additional locations at the Egleston Square and East Boston branches in July to provide increased shade and cooling resources. All locations will remain installed until October 2021. 24-hour outdoor Wi-Fi at all 14 locations is permanent and available year-round. To access the Internet, users will need to bring their own device, such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone or borrow one from the library through the BPL’s device loan program. 

Adapting access to the BPL throughout the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the number of Boston residents who rely on the BPL’s resources to access the Internet for essential information about City services, online learning, and other resources such as employment opportunities. Last summer, the BPL installed outdoor Wi-Fi at 14 branches to ensure that reliable Internet access remained available even when the BPL’s doors were closed. 

This press release was produced by the City of Boston. The views expressed here are the author’s own.