More libraries in Oxfordshire to be connected to wi-fi

The grant funding has been awarded by Arts Council England and means that the libraries in Chipping Norton, Deddington, Hook Norton, Bicester would see wi-fi installed.

Other libraries include Bampton, Benson, Berinsfield, Burford, Carterton, Charlbury, Chinnor, Eynsham, Faringdon, Goring, Grove, Henley, , Kennington, Kidlington, North Leigh, Sonning Common, Stonesfield, Wallingford, Wantage, Watlington, Wheatley, Woodcote, Woodstock, Wychwood.

Fifteen of the county’s 43 libraries already have wi-fi installed.

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.”

The wi-fi will be installed during Spring 2016 and the grant is one of 68 made to local authorities across the country by Arts Council England.

A total of £2,646 million 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.