Cherokee County Public Library director Lana Gardner and an employee test-run the library's new wireless Internet access system. Traffic at computers at both Cherokee County Public Library (CCPL) branches are expected to ease when the calendar turns to December as a grant has enabled the public library system to offer high-speed wireless (Wi-Fi) internet access.

The library had recently begun to notice that very little space was left to increase the number of computers at either facility due to the amount of people using them on a daily basis. But with grants coming through by way of the Library Services and Technology Act as well as the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the South Carolina State Library, local library director Lana Gardner is excited about how wireless Internet access helps both her staff and those visiting both the Gaffney and Blacksburg facilities.

"We were definitely wondering how we would make this work as there was very little room for any additional computers or technology," Gardner said. "This new avenue of service helps strengthen our mission of being a destination that enhances the quality of life in our community by connecting people with information resources.

Persons visiting the library will now be allowed access to the Internet by using wireless-enabled notebook computers and handheld devices. However, the new service also helps with some of the library's other services including access to the library's free online resources such as a catalog of books, DVDs, videos and subscription databases.

"This is a wonderful upgrade to our technological services," Gardner said.

In addition to the several things wireless Internet helps bring to the table, it also has offered the CCPL new opportunities. The library has purchased a mobile computer lab with eight laptop computers to be used for staff and patron computer training. Classes are expected to begin in Jan. 2008.

"Public computer training classes have been a constant request from our patrons," Gardner said. "We are definitely excited about getting this project underway."