Creating connection.

In the heart of Alachua County, nestled among the sprawling greens and bustling communities, there lies a beacon of hope for many residents—the Alachua County Library District (ACLD).

This beacon shone brightly on a warm afternoon in September 2023, as the library district was honored with a Government Experience Project Award from the Center for Digital Government. The WiFi2Go project had distinguished itself as a unique and transformative initiative, earning the ACLD one of the six special district awards, a testament to its impact and innovation.

The story of WiFi2Go began with a vision and a need. In a world where connectivity is key to accessing opportunities and resources, many Alachua County residents found themselves on the wrong side of the digital divide. Recognizing this gap, the Alachua County Library District Foundation stepped in with crucial funding. As Library Director Shaney Livingston explained, the program “doesn’t solve the digital divide problem, but it addresses it.”

With an initial contribution of $36,000 in April 2021, followed by similar contributions in August 2021, June 2022, and March 2023, the Foundation enabled the ACLD to buy 400 WiFi2Go kits. These mobile hotspots, available for checkout for seven days, could connect up to five devices, bringing the world wide web to doorsteps where it was once absent.

For many residents, the impact was immediate and life-changing. Take, for example, Maria, a single mother of three. "Before WiFi2Go, my kids struggled to complete their homework assignments," she shared. "Now, with reliable internet at home, they can learn and explore without any hindrance. It’s like having a door opened to endless possibilities."

Then Library Public Relations and Marketing Director Rachel Cook was moved by such stories. “I’ve been very inspired by the stories patrons have shared about how these hotspots are improving their lives,” she said. From job seekers at virtual interviews to grandparents connecting with distant grandchildren, the hotspots were more than just a convenience—they were lifelines.

The process to check out a hotspot was simple. Alachua County library cardholders could reserve them using the online catalog or by calling any branch. Returning them was equally straightforward. But the real beauty lay in the empowerment each device represented—a bridge over the digital chasm.

In March, during the annual Center for Digital Government virtual GovX Summit, the WiFi2Go project was celebrated as a model of community service and technological integration. The award was a recognition of the project's success and a nod to the Foundation’s vision: “Enhancing the ACLD’s ability to enrich the lives of everyone in our community.”

As the sun set over Alachua County on that September day, the library stood as a testament to what could be achieved when a community came together to support one another. The WiFi2Go program, born out of necessity and fueled by generosity, had become a symbol of hope and progress. And in the words of Shaney Livingston, it might not have solved the digital divide, but it certainly made the leap a lot less daunting.