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A new pilot program at the San Antonio Public Library will make 1,000 Wi-Fi hotspots available to residents.
Edited by Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
June 23, 2026 — The San Antonio Public Library (SAPL) is tackling the digital divide head-on with a new pilot program designed to bring free Wi-Fi hotspots directly to residents.
Backed by a $200,000 grant from Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., the initiative aims to boost digital equity across the city, SAPL announced in a June 23 release.
By putting reliable internet access into the hands of those who need it most, the SAPL hopes to unlock crucial online resources for education, workforce development, and healthcare services.
Addressing connectivity gaps in the city
To kick off the roll-out, SAPL is deploying 1,000 Wi-Fi hotspot devices across ten specific branch locations, including the Bazan, Collins Garden, Cortez, Forest Hills, Las Palmas, Memorial, Mission, Pan American, Schaefer, and Westfall libraries.
The targeted locations aren’t random; they directly address connectivity gaps identified during a pandemic-era city study, the SAPL says.
That research revealed that portions of San Antonio’s East, West, and South sides were facing severe limitations when it came to high-speed broadband availability.
“These devices will help reduce barriers in some of our most underserved communities,” said library director Sukrit Goswami. “Our pilot program empowers residents without broadband access to get online for crucial tasks such as studying for an upcoming test, making healthcare appointments, applying for jobs, and much more. Providing these devices in areas where we know there is a need bridges the digital divide by giving residents reliable internet access at home, on the go or anywhere they need it.”
For residents looking to connect, the logistics are straightforward: SAPL cardholders can check out a hotspot device for a 21-day period. While the devices cannot be reserved in advance, branches will maintain waitlists if all units are currently in use. For those who need immediate access, SAPL continues to provide desktop and laptop computers on-site, alongside free indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi at all facilities—with outdoor connectivity available in marked parking spots from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., SAPL said.
Some AI tools also assisted in the crafting of this report.
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