Westminster libraries go Wi-Fi

Westminster City Council has extended its roll out of Wi-Fi services to include all 13 of its library buildings.

BT carried out the installations using its Openzone system, as part of the wider Westminster Wireless City initiative.

"We have been receiving comments from customers and the general public about the wish to have Wi-Fi access in our libraries for several years now. We see it as an enhancement and a way of winning new customers," Chris Lally, development manager for ICT and staff at Westminster Libraries, told vnunet.com.

The service will be charged at the standard BT Openzone rate and users can buy one-hour (£6) or 24-hour (£10) access cards. The vouchers will be valid wherever BT Openzone can be accessed. Alternatively, users can log on and pay for the service online.

"All 12 libraries and the Westminster Archive Centre now have Wi-Fi capability. Some of our libraries fill in some of the gaps in BT's networks - places like Pimlico - so it's a good partnership, " said Lally.

The service will initially run as a one-year pilot, with a review after six months.

"The one-year pilot will show us how often the service is being used and at which libraries. We are very interested in seeing how it goes in places like Westminster Reference Library, which is just off Leicester Square," said Lally.