Your public library offers so much value to your community. Everything from children’s programming, language learning, print, audio and digital books, and that’s just the beginning. And what about considering the public library as a workspace for remote workers? Libraries could serve the remote working community by promoting their space as such. 

A recent report shows that remote work has surged 400% in the last ten years. Work flexibility is becoming an expectation for the Millennial workforce. According to Forbes, more than one-third of workers in the U.S. are part of the gig economy, which includes freelancers and contractors. Some cities are even using financial incentives to attract remote workers to their communities. 

The nature of work is changing. 

Tools like online project management systems, virtual meetings, and cloud-based systems make online team collaboration easy and effective. In the absence of the office culture, workers have started to migrate to remote working spaces to combat loneliness and create connections. Whether part of a team or a freelancer, remote workers are making use of co-working spaces for everyday office use and meeting spaces. 

Libraries have a unique opportunity to provide even more value to the remote working community by promoting their library as a remote working space.

Co-working spaces are cropping up in cities across the U.S. Libraries could promote their space as a value-added benefit that’s already included in citizens’ taxes. And they already have the amenities remote workers are seeking, such as: 

• Free WiFi
• A quiet place to work
• Private meeting rooms for phone or web calls
• Plenty of space to meet as a group
• Office amenities like printers, copiers, scanners, and fax machines
• Clean bathrooms
• Water fountains
• Charging outlets

And, a great atmosphere to focus on work. Libraries are available in any city, which opens up options for remote workers who like to travel. You can even bring your favorite coffee to sip on while you work. Public libraries are well-positioned to help the remote workforce. 

Libraries are using WiFi analytics to improve patron experiences and prove the value of public libraries as a co-working space. 

WiFi analytics is an easy-to-use technology that works for a single location or multi-location libraries. Our Library Edition allows you to see large scale trends while maintaining user privacy by encrypting their personal information before it even arrives on our cloud system. Librarians can make data-driven decisions using the insights and reports provided through our software.

Libraries can use this software to look for trends that would indicate patrons are using their space for work, like staying logged on for multiple hours at a time. Seeing these trends on your WiFi analytics dashboard could help you develop services, equipment, or programs geared toward this group. Offering freelancing programs or seminars with business speakers, presentation equipment rental, or more private conference rooms can help make your library a great place to work remotely. 

The rise in remote work certainly offers many benefits and the flexibility the modern workforce expects. In the absence of office culture, co-working spaces are becoming more popular. This workplace trend appears to be a mainstay, and public libraries can promote themselves as an option for remote working spaces. Learn how WiFi analytics help you serve the remote workers in your community. Schedule a demo today.