Public Library Insights One Year Into The COVID-19 Pandemic
The past year has brought many changes and challenges. And it’s also created an environment for growth. Faced with uncertainty, libraries rose to the challenge and adapted their services to meet the changing needs of their communities. In many ways, libraries are able to meet patrons' needs now even better than before. The flexibility of these new offerings made it easier to reach additional community members, and our library partners think these changes are here to stay. It’s helped libraries…
Getting Social While Social Distancing
Librarians are people who want to connect with their community. Through library services, outreach, programs, and much more, libraries and librarians are beacons to all communities. So when library doors closed due to COVID-19, this was tough on the community and the librarians who thrive on serving and connecting. In times of crisis and economic recession, people need the library more than ever. They need someone to help connect them with free resources, social services, a safe place to use…
Introducing the WhoFi Community Calendar
Community Calendar is the program reporting tool for modern libraries Easily Track Your Library’s Programs For Accurate Reporting Libraries are adapting to meet changing community needs by connecting with patrons online and in-person. The Community Calendar offers a replacement to cumbersome tallying methods. It also helps libraries better understand their patrons to further improve their service. What is Community Calendar? Community Calendar is a reporting tool to help libraries understand…
Q4 Effects of COVID-19 on Public Library WiFi Use
WhoFi analyzed data from our library partners to determine the effect of COVID-19 on patron WiFi usage. This report includes our findings during Q4 2020. We’re now ten months into the COVID pandemic, and public libraries continue to adapt to this new normal by reinventing their services to meet the current needs of their communities. These new innovations are taking place across the country. Libraries are bolstering their online collections and expanding access, enhancing access to public WiFi,…
Libraries Staying Connected To Patrons With Online and Outdoor Events
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, libraries continue to adapt and find creative ways to stay connected to their communities. From drive-in WiFi, grab and go book pickup, and modified services and programs, libraries are going above and beyond to meet the needs of patrons while staying connected online and outdoors. If your library has outdoor space or a local park area available (and recommended safety guidelines are followed) outdoor programming paired with an online component would be a…
How the time of day patrons use WiFi is changing
Free WiFi at public libraries is an often used resource for many patrons. The pandemic is causing changes in how libraries operate and how patrons use library resources. This post covers how the pandemic has caused changes in the times of day that Free WiFi at public libraries is utilized. We show the WiFi usage times from before the pandemic in March of 2020. We then further show how the times have changed throughout the year 2020. The Data WhoFi is a leading provider of Wireless Session…
Curbside Books And Free WiFi
Libraries across the country continue to adapt services to meet patron needs. When the coronavirus took hold in March and public library buildings closed to the public, services continued in a new, modified format. Two of the most popular library services born out of this public health crisis are curbside pick-up programs and outside of the building WiFi use. Curbside programs offer patrons a way to access resources and materials. Libraries offering curbside pick-ups keeps books and other…
Providing Free WiFi In Public Libraries Improves Communities
Internet access is considered a platform in which an individual can access the tools and skills necessary to improve their lives, participate in the economy, and access government. The possibility to connect to the Internet has been recognized in a number of countries as a human right, or at least as a core public interest utility. In this information and digital age, access to this digital economy is key for a person to survive and thrive. Yet millions of Americans lack internet access. This…
The Economic Impact Of WiFi Connection
Providing free WiFi in public libraries improves communities. Internet should be viewed as an investment, not a cost, to public institutions. This blog explores the theories that support these statements and outlines the research that proves the economic impact of a WiFi connection. More than 200 hundred years ago, Adam Smith stated that “the wealth of nations included the acquired and useful abilities of all the inhabitants or members of the society.” Acquired abilities that are useful for…
Q3 Effects of COVID-19 on Public Library WiFi Use
WhoFi analyzed data from our library partners to determine the effect of COVID-19 on patron WiFi usage. This report includes our findings during Q3. We’re now seven months into the COVID pandemic, and public libraries continue to adapt to this new normal by reinventing their services to meet the current needs of their communities. These new innovations are taking place across the country. Libraries are bolstering their online collections and expanding access, enhancing access to public WiFi,…