Due to popular demand, the Mountain Regional Library System is offering public wireless access to their communities. Currently wireless access is available at our Headquarters in Young Harris, the Fannin County Public Library in Blue Ridge, the Towns County Public Library in Hiawassee, and the Union County Public Library in Blairsville. Users of portable computers, laptops, notebooks, Blackberries, and similar devices equipped with wireless technology will be able to connect to the internet through the library's wireless access point and T-1 line by simply walking into the library or even stopping outside it in some cases! At our Fannin County Public Library we have added a booster to make the wireless signal available outside the library so that users can connect while taking advantage of the Blue Ridge City Park across the street.

Computer use in public libraries has become one of the most popular services offered. Over 70,500 people have used the Mountain Regional Library System's public computer workstations in the past year. Our libraries often have waiting lists of users for their computers, even with a time limit on use. People come to the library to use computers even when they have internet access at home because the library's connection speeds are so much faster and because of access to reference materials available only through the library's web access. This is especially important for those taking classes online or needing to use websites with lots of graphics. Wireless access allowing users to bring their own computers should help meet the demand for fast, reliable internet access as well as address the needs of those visiting our area on vacation or business. Instruction sheets for connecting and copies of the library system's public wireless use policy are available at the circulation desk.

This service was made possible with funding from a federal Library Services and Construction Act (LSTA) grant and support from the Friends of the Library groups in our region. The trustees, friends, and staff of the Mountain Regional Library System wish all our library users happy wireless computing!