Tuscarawas County library expands community Wi-Fi access

The Tuscarawas County Public Library System has partnered with area villages to install eight community Wi-Fi access points across its service district, allowing residents to connect to the internet using their own devices.

“Access to reliable internet is crucial for our rural areas,” said Assistant Director Brian Herzog. “When our previous community Wi-Fi access points reached the end of their lifespan, we recognized the need to continue this service as a way to bridge the connectivity gap in our community.”

Residents can visit any of the eight locations to log onto the library’s secure Wi-Fi network, TCPL-APs, while sitting outside or inside their vehicles. Signs posted at each site provide login information.

The access points are available at Baltic Community Park, Belden Community Park in Port Washington, Cherry Ridge Park in Sugarcreek, Roswell’s John F. Kennedy Memorial Park in New Philadelphia, Midvale Community Park, Sandyville Laffer Square Park, Stone Creek Community Park and Tuscarawas Memorial Community Park.

Herzog said residents do not need a library card to connect, but must bring their own laptop, tablet or smartphone. The access points will operate during the hours of the parks or facilities where they are installed and will automatically shut down between midnight and 5 a.m.

In addition, the library’s bookmobile and its branches in New Philadelphia, Bolivar, Strasburg, Sugarcreek and Tuscarawas all offer public Wi-Fi access.

More information is available at www.tusclibrary.org/wifi or by calling 330-364-4474.