Wi-fi to be installed in all Oxfordshire libraries in 2016

The grant funding has been awarded by Arts Council England and means that the following libraries would see wi-fi installed: Bampton, Benson, Berinsfield, Bicester, Burford, Carterton, Charlbury, Chinnor, Chipping Norton, Deddington, Eynsham, Faringdon, Goring, Grove, Henley, Hook Norton, Kennington, Kidlington, North Leigh, Sonning Common, Stonesfield, Wallingfrod, Wantage, Watlington, Wheatley, Woodcote, Woodstock, Wychwood.

The wi-fi will be installed during Spring 2016. There are 43 libraries in Oxfordshire in total with 15 of them already having wi-fi.

Oxfordshire’s grant is one of 68 made to local authorities across the country by Arts Council England. A total of £2,646m in funding has been provided as part of its wi-fi in Public Libraries in England fund.

The WiFi fund supports the Arts Council’s goals around developing library services, ensuring that they are fit for purpose now and in the future.

This is one-off grant from the Arts Council. It is therefore not a substitute for money that may be saved from the Library Service’s annual revenue budgets in future years as part of the council’s 2016-20 budget savings options.

Good news

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural and Community Services, said: “Oxfordshire has 43 libraries and despite all of the savings the council is having to make there are no plans to close any of them, which is good news.

“This funding which will be provided by Arts Council England will enable us to have wi-fi in all those 43 libraries which adds to the good news. The future for Oxfordshire’s libraries is bright.”