Public Libraries Upgrade Wi-Fi to Keep Citizens Online

Cisco Meraki Simplifies Wireless Network Management

In 2020, the Columbus Metropolitan Library undertook a major Wi-Fi upgrade, rolling out more than 200 Cisco Meraki MR42 wireless access points. The library system continues to add wireless capacity as part of its expansion and new building projects, deploying MR46 APs that are compatible with the Wi-Fi 6 wireless standard.

The centralized control and visibility offered by Meraki’s dashboard allows library officials to ensure equitable access to customers, Bumbico says.

“We can prevent a person from overwhelming our bandwidth with built-in rate-limiting capabilities,” he says. “If we didn’t have rate-limiting within Meraki, we would very quickly get to the point where our customers were impacted, and that wouldn’t be a great experience.”

LEARN MORE: Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 6E — what’s the difference?

Another benefit of the Meraki infrastructure, Bumbico says, is that it is managed in the cloud, helping to reduce the burden on the library’s IT team. The previous Wi-Fi infrastructure required on-premises data center equipment. “If that went down, obviously, we had to react,” Bumbico says. “We don’t have to manage that anymore. Also, Meraki makes it easier to perform software updates for security patches and feature enhancements. We have a small team, and Meraki helps us manage everything with the centralized features that they provide.”

More Demand for Broadband Necessitates More Wireless Throughput

Often, smaller libraries need to be opportunistic when it comes to funding wireless connectivity upgrades. Until recently, Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro, Vt., relied on infrastructure installed in 2013 as part of a statewide public-private partnership. This year, a new state grant made it possible for the library to install a new router and switches from Ubiquiti.

“We have a lot more flexibility than we had with the old equipment,” says Matthew Wojcik, the library’s electronic services specialist. “With the old network, we couldn’t actually control any of our equipment ourselves. We had to ask the state government to make any changes we needed.”

With a 2-gigabit-per-second symmetrical connection, the new setup is a substantial upgrade over the previous 100 megabits per second.

“The need for access to the internet has changed drastically,” says Library Director Starr LaTronica. “It’s nearly impossible to apply for a job or apply for benefits if you don’t do it online. You can’t make a telehealth appointment. Even though we have an Amtrak train station, you can’t buy a ticket at the station. You have to buy it online.”

“We also have an aging population,” LaTronica adds. “A lot of those folks need our help with technology.”

Next, library officials plan to install outdoor access points. Already, a number of local contractors pull up in front of the library each morning to try to connect to the Wi-Fi and complete administrative work. “When libraries closed during the pandemic, we really learned that we need to have Wi-Fi that reaches outside of our buildings as well,” Wojcik says.

The End Result: A Fiftyfold Improvement in Network Speed

When Brian DeFelice became director of Hull Public Library in Massachusetts’s South Shore region in the fall of 2023, he couldn’t find anyone who knew the login credentials for the existing wireless infrastructure. The external protective covers on some APs were missing, and customers who tried to use the Wi-Fi often saw their connection slow to a crawl.

“The Wi-Fi speed was around 5Mbps — maybe 6, if we were lucky,” DeFelice says. “It was very, very slow. It was apparent to me that we really needed an upgrade.”

The library secured state funding to pay for the upgrade, which was completed in the summer of 2024. With four Cisco Meraki APs, the library is now seeing 250Mbps download speeds — literally 50 times as fast as before.

“It's been a huge improvement,” DeFelice says. “Staff noticed right away.”

Libraries have a different relationship with their patrons than many government agencies have with their users. Librarians tend not to ask people what they’re using the internet for, and patrons may feel awkward complaining about the speed of a service they’re getting for free. Still, librarians like DeFelice feel an obligation to provide a good experience, especially to those who need it most.

“For individuals who are economically disadvantaged, we’re their lifeline,” he says. “It’s imperative that libraries get their connectivity at least to a baseline standard. Maybe we won’t be doing fiber-optic speeds, but let’s at least get something that people can come in and use, both to get their work done and to enjoy.”