The pilot project will launch with a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 19.
There is a new option for Arlington residents and visitors who need an internet connection and privacy for virtual meetings. Arlington Public Library has opened The Teleconnect Space at Columbia Pike Library, in partnership with the Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development (CPHD) and the Department of Technology Services (DTS).
The Teleconnect Space is a single meeting room at the library branch that is outfitted with a hardwired computer equipped with web access to Zoom, Skype, and other video conferencing software. It also has a ring light to create a professional setting. The space is reserved for virtual meetings for specific purposes including telehealth appointments, job interviews, social service appointments, health insurance sign up and college interviews.
Arlington Public Library will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of The Teleconnect Space at Columbia Pike Library on Monday, Sept. 19, from 4:30–6 p.m. The event is open to the public and Columbia Pike’s Sunshine Gang band will provide entertainment.
This new resource is part of the County’s digital equity initiative to ensure all Arlington residents have affordable, reliable access to high-speed internet and the technology to fully participate in the community and economy, with a focus on connectivity, access, education and training and program sustainability.
“Anyone who needs a free, quiet, private space and who does not have equivalent access at home or anyone who needs extra tech assistance to get started taking a telehealth appointment is invited to use the Teleconnect Space,” said Arlington Public Library Director Diane Kresh. “The Library is at the center of the community, and we are glad to be working with our County partners CPHD and DTS to add this vital service.”
Community and local government partners include the Arlington Free Clinic, Arlington Employment Center, Arlington Peers Helping Peers in Recovery (APRC), OAR of Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church and the Columbia Pike Partnership.
The Teleconnect Space may be booked online for two hours each day, up to two times per week. Anyone unable to make an online reservation may call Columbia Pike Library at 703-228-5710 for assistance.
Potential uses of the space include: a person in a virtual support group meeting who would ordinarily meet from their car for privacy; a person with a large family who has a virtual college interview; a job seeker who lives in group housing or with many family members and needs an uninterrupted interview; a LGBTQIA+ adult who needs a telehealth appointment but does not have a secure, private space at home to talk to a medical professional; and other possibilities.
The Teleconnect Space has frosted glass covering most of the outside and a white noise machine helps provide audio privacy. Limited staff assistance is available for help with personal devices on the public Wi-Fi network. The Teleconnect Space may not be used for paid work, paid tutoring, business meetings, online class attendance, in-person meetings, social events, or by for-profit organizations.
On April 26, 2022, the Arlington County Board adopted the Fiscal Year 2023 budget and allocated $543,000 in one-time funding to the Arlington Public Library’s collections starting
July 1, 2022.
The budget increase will support the Library‘s aim to reduce wait times across the collections, re-engage the community after a two-year pandemic through creative programming, and invite more readers to explore the Library’s titles and participate in its various services.
"The additional funds will allow us to get more books into more hands, more quickly," said Library Director Diane Kresh. "A well-stocked, diverse collection benefits the entire community."
With the budget increase, the Library will add 12,000 titles to its circulation and drastically reduce wait times for popular eBooks and eAudiobooks. "Our top priority is to ensure patrons have access to books and information in multiple formats," said Kresh. "Patrons should be able to read and access information, when and how they want it.”
The demand for electronic titles is at an all-time high with an increase for eAudio titles by 210% and for eBooks by 98.5% respectively.
In addition to reducing wait times for electronic titles, the Library plans to expand three existing popular collection services:
- Provide additional print and eBook titles for the "Grab & Go" express book collection.
- Increase the "Always Available" eBook and eAudiobook collection.
- Expand the volume of Spanish language books.
Explore the Library’s collections and discover all its booklists.
Download the Arlington Public Library App, get 24x7 access to the Library’s collections and discover upcoming programs, such as Summer Reading launching June 1.
To find more information about the adopted $1.50 billion balanced Arlington County General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2023, visit https://www.arlingtonva.us.
During the month of January, 2022, two new free outdoor Wi-Fi hot spots were installed at the Cherrydale and Glencarlyn Libraries.
Library patrons and Arlington residents now have 24x7 access to the free Arlington County Wi-Fi network “ArlingtonWireless” at all library branches, both outdoor and indoor, and at various locations around the County. No ID or password is required for the free service.
In 2021, an average of 5,000 Library patrons logged in each month to the outdoor ArlingtonWireless network at five Library locations (Aurora Hills, Central, Columbia Pike, Shirlington and Westover branches).
“With the addition of Cherrydale and Glencarlyn, we are thrilled that we can offer free 24x7 outdoor and indoor Wi-Fi access system-wide. It's a great community service," said Library Director Diane Kresh. "Free access to technology and information is at the core of a Library."
Find more information about the Library's free Wi-Fi network and how to access it by clicking the link below.
This information technology infrastructure project is part of Arlington County’s Department of Technology Services digital equity enterprise initiative. ArlingtonWireless provides no-cost internet access in places where the community gathers and makes high-speed broadband internet accessible to all residents and library patrons.
To find additional Wi-Fi locations in the County, visit the interactive digital resource map.
Media Contacts
Anneliesa Alprin
Communications Manager
aalprin@arlingtonva.us
703-228-6329 (o)
Henrik Sundqvist
Communications Officer
nsundqvist@arlingtonva.us
703-228-0590 (o) / 571-970-8608 (c)
Annual Reports
Awards
2021
Penguin Random House Library Award for Innovation
2017
Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments – Climate and Energy Leadership Award
Virginia Association of Counties Achievement Award
2015
Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Business Award
2012
Sustainable Libraries Award
2011
Outstanding Public Program Award
Outstanding Achievement in Local Government Innovation Award
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