Mid-Columbia Libraries and Franklin PUD Expand Free Internet Access at Libraries in Franklin County

Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL) and Franklin PUD have partnered to expand free internet access for residents in Franklin County with the recent installation of Wi-Fi hotspots at several MCL branches across the county. Now, residents can enjoy increased broadband at the Basin City, Connell, Kahlotus, and Merrill’s Corner branches. Pasco library customers can continue to access a signal from the south lawn of the library at 1320 W. Hopkins St. and from neighboring Memorial Park.

All MCL branches are open for curbside pickup only; no public computers are available. Increasing Wi-Fi access outside library locations is part of a joint effort to provide free Wi-Fi at strategic points throughout the county for educational purposes.

“We are thrilled to partner with Franklin PUD to be able to offer residents and library customers increased Wi-Fi access at our libraries in Franklin County,” says MCL Executive Director and Chief Librarian Kyle Cox. “We know libraries are at the heart of our communities and offering this service is a natural extension of our and the PUD’s commitment to residents.”

“With the increase in working at home and online education that we are experiencing due to COVID-19, it is more important than ever for the PUD to continue expanding broadband in Franklin County,” says Franklin PUD’s broadband manager Ben Hooper. “We take pride in the fact that we have built an outstanding network that can serve multiple needs and support the community.”

The service is available every day from 8 am to 8 pm in the parking and sidewalk areas surrounding buildings. Users can log on from their mobile device or laptop computer. A password is not required.

The new library hotspots complement existing Franklin PUD hotspot locations. Here is the full list:

PASCO
Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Pasco Branch, 1320 W. Hopkins St. Pasco, WA (south of building only)
• Wireless Network Name: FBB_Public_WiFi
Memorial Park, 350 N. 14th Ave. Pasco, WA
• Wireless Network Name: FBB_Public_WiFi
Pasco Farmers Market, 101 S. 4th Ave. Pasco, WA
• Wireless Network Name: Free_Downtown_Wifi

BASIN CITY
Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Basin City Branch, 50-A N. Canal Blvd. Basin City, WA
• Wireless Network Name: FBB_PublicWiFi_BC

CONNELL
Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Connell Branch, 118 N. Columbia Ave. Connell, WA
• Wireless Network Name: FBB_PublicWiFi_Connell.227
Connell Community Center, 211 E. Elm Street Connell, WA
• Wireless Network Name: PUD_Connell_Public_WiFi

ELTOPIA
Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Merrill’s Corner Branch, 5240 Eltopia West Eltopia, WA
• Wireless Network Name: FBB_PublicWiFi_Merrills.226

KAHLOTUS
Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Kahlotus Branch, 225 E. Weston St. Kahlotus, WA
• Wireless Network Name: PUD_Public_WiFi
Intersection of Durham Ave. and W. Martin St. (near the community pool)
• Wireless Network Name: PUD_Public_WiFi

MESA
Bailie Land & Cattle Company, 205 1st Ave. Mesa, WA
• Wireless Network Name: PUD_Mesa_Public_WiFi
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Plans are underway for a hotspot at MCL’s West Pasco library as well as branches in Benton County.