In certain LA communities, roughly 40% of the population lacks at-home internet. Even in highly-connected areas, over 10% don’t have high speed broadband. When the pandemic forced library closures, many who relied on free connectivity (with 2.2 million PC and 4.4 million Wi-Fi sessions logged in 2019) were in need. The challenge was to quickly provide internet connectivity to households that needed this vital service to complete tasks for work or school, access health information or connect with family and friends.

This cost-effective program launched quickly at libraries in areas with low connectivity rates by utilizing existing Wi-Fi infrastructure and adding wireless access points to extend reach, versus building an expensive system from scratch. Anyone can connect by parking in a designated spot and using a device in their car or sitting within 25 feet of the library. Park & Connect is easy to use and doesn’t require a library card or personal information (like many others do), making it broadly accessible with few barriers.

Since November 2020, nearly 206,500 Park & Connect sessions have been logged. Areas with the lowest internet subscription rates have above average sessions, reaching those who need it most. To promote the program widely beyond cardholders, outdoor bilingual (English/Spanish) ads had 15 million estimated impressions. When billboards posted, usage jumped 15%. Park & Connect social media posts receive higher-than-average interactions, with followers expressing appreciation for the program’s help bridge the digital divide.