Free personal Wi-Fi hotspots are now available throughout the Burg, thanks to the St. Petersburg Library System. The city announced a new initiative on Monday that allows library card holders to borrow Wi-Fi hotspot devices from any city library for up to 14 days.

In the announcement, the city described the new hotspot loans as a means of promoting access to online information, resources, and culture. The initiative follows Mayor Ken Welch’s aims to make St. Pete a more equitable city for those who call it home.

This plan also addresses an issue that quickly arose during the pandemic: providing internet access to children and students in need for educational and developmental purposes. There is no age limit, as anyone with a valid Pinellas Public Library Cooperative library card can borrow a hotspot.

“This is a step in the right direction for internet accessibility and equity in St. Pete. This offering will be a great way for library patrons to get online when and where they need,” said Mika Nelson, Director of the St. Petersburg Library System.

Library cards and Wi-Fi hotspots are both free

The hotspots can be checked out at the circulation desk of any library, but they must be returned to the library from which they were borrowed and have to be returned to a library staff member at the circulation desk. While the hotspots are free, the data signal will be turned off once the return date has passed, and if it becomes more than 10 days delinquent, the cardholders account will be charged $37.

To become a member of the St. Petersburg Library System, cards can be applied for free of charge at any of the cities seven libraries, or online through the system’s website. Library membership and Wi-Fi hotspots are available at any of the libraries below.

• President Barack Obama Main Library – 3745 9th Ave. North (temporarily closed for renovations)
• Childs Park Community Library – 691 43rd Street South (10 am – 5 pm)
• Johnson Community Library – 1059 18th Ave. South (10 am – 6 pm)
• Mirror Lake Community Library – 280 5th St. North (10 am – 6 pm)
• North Community Library – 861 70th Ave. North (10 am – 6 pm)
• South Community Library – 2300 Roy Hanna Dr S (10 am – 6 pm)
• West Community Library – 6700 8th Ave. North (8 am – 8 pm)

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