Clutha District Libraries service centre manager Vicki Darling said it had been on the agenda to acquire Wi-Fi services in the district’s libraries for some time but it had been put off until now.
Many tourists visited the different centres in the district in search of free internet.
"We were constantly turning people away . . . saying we haven’t got [Wi-Fi]," Mrs Darling said.
The libraries teamed with Aotearoa People’s Network Kaharoa to provide the service.
It was heavily subsidised by the organisation, which made operating costs very close to the previous system the library used, Mrs Darling said.
"We have a few tweaks . . . to refine over the next couple of weeks, but it’s not only live but being used."
Internet access has been offered at libraries in the district but previously was not free to the public.
Balclutha, Lawrence, Milton, Owaka and Tapanui libraries have free internet and Wi-Fi. Anyone can access the service on mobile devices with Wi-Fi capability enabled.
Mrs Darling said there was already a notable increase in use at the Owaka Library, which was in the same building as the Owaka Museum.
Landscape architect Nigel Cowburn was at Balclutha Library yesterday accessing the Wi-Fi on his personal laptop for the first time. He said he lived about 60km out of Balclutha and regularly travelled in his work. Relying on free internet on the main street was "patchy".
Having access to it at the library was going to make a difference and he was likely to spend more time there now to use the free Wi-Fi.
