“We're really looking to expand outside the physical library,” said Emporia Public Library Executive Director Pauline Stacchini, “we get patrons who come in and use our public computers because they don't have computers at home but we also see a lot of people who don't have Internet at home. With ADOPT, we were really looking to reach really underserved groups.”
Several of the locations of the benches have already been decided as of the funding announcement. Spots outside of the Lee Beran Recreation Center, CrossWinds Counseling & Wellness building, and a lot on Commercial St. were chosen due to their proximity to those underserved populations.
The idea was initially sparked following Stacchini’s visit to Wichita, a community that had already implemented the benches. EPL had previously loaned out hotspots, but the benches provided a cost-effective solution with less maintenance and logistical issues.
EPL received the Digital Opportunities Connecting Kansans (DOCK) grant in 2024, allowing the library to fund a number of initiatives focused on expanding their digital infrastructure including the creation of a “Zoom Room” and the “Book-a-librarian” program.
All of these improvements are a part of a larger initiative by EPL related to their tagline “EPL Connect”, striving to connect the community to resources.
“We're really going all in on the idea of connection,” said Stacchini, “by putting in these hotspot benches, we're trying to make sure that nobody in the Emporia community gets left behind as technology continues to evolve.”
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