Oamaru and Palmerston libraries will get free internet and wireless access from the end of next month, in a programme being introduced by the Waitaki District Council and the Aotearoa Peoples' Network.
Kurow's community library will also get free internet access.
All three will get more internet computers under the New Zealand digital strategy, which aims at narrowing the digital divide between communities.
The free wireless access at Oamaru and Palmerston will enable local residents and visitors to access the internet and email from their own private laptop computers while at the libraries.
In addition, two internet machines at the Oamaru Library, which cost $2 for 15 minutes use (except for research), will be replaced with five computers with free access.
Palmerston has one public internet computer, with the same charge as Oamaru.
It will be replaced by three computers and free access.
Kurow will get two internet computers with free access.
The council's community services group manager, Tanya Winter, said yesterday part of the agreement with the Aotearoa network was that both computer and wireless internet access had to be free.
That would cost the Oamaru and Palmerston libraries about $4000 a year in lost income.
However, the council was getting new computers and support at no cost, in return.
Direct costs to the council were computer tables, network cabling, electricity and some incidentals.
The wireless access would cost $600 a year for both libraries, but a saving of $2200 in a one-off fee.