Free wi-fi at Bury and Radcliffe libraries

Bury and Radcliffe libraries are now offering customers free wi-fi as part of a national digital inclusion project backed by BT and Barclays.

The aim is to bring the internet to those who otherwise miss out by not being online, enabling them to take advantage of being on the web.

In the UK, around 12% of adults have never been online and this increases to 61% for those aged over 75.

Councillor Paddy Heneghan, cabinet member for culture, said: “With so many opportunities from education, interacting with friends, job opportunities and access to government and health services all available online, it has never been more important for members of our community to start their digital journey.

"We are planning free wi-fi access at all our other libraries and will announce this when available.”

BT and Barclays have both committed to support the implementation of the Government’s Digital Inclusion strategy which aims to reduce the number of people offline in the UK by 25 per cent by 2016. For more information, see http://www.wifiinourcommunity.bt.com

ENDS

Press release issued: 3 September 2015.