Library Wi-Fi Improvement Project

UEN Wi-Fi Improvement Project Delivers Big Gains for Public Libraries.

Several years ago, the U.S. federal government launched a project to improve broadband access to citizens’ communities and homes. UEN wanted to help and proposed a program to leverage the state’s extensive fiber network to strengthen communities’ access to technology. Utah’s libraries became key to this strategy. UEN’s longstanding partnerships helped to quickly identify areas with the greatest needs to ensure the greatest impact in communities throughout the state.

Public libraries are community resource centers that provide everything from books to computers to podcasting kits and more. The modern library is a community technology hub, and in many cases, the only place in a town with free, accessible Wi-Fi.

These libraries have provided Wi-Fi to their communities for years. However, many of those libraries, especially in rural areas, had outdated Wi-Fi equipment with slow connection speeds, and few had Wi-Fi that extended beyond their buildings to outdoor areas.

In 2024, UEN launched the statewide Wi-Fi Improvement Project to help libraries across the state improve and expand their Wi-Fi services.

By the end of the project, we had helped 54 libraries improve speeds and expand coverage so that patrons could access faster internet from more places on the property, even after hours.

Here are a few of the big changes our libraries experienced:

• The Roosevelt Branch of the Duchesne County Library has had 38,720 sessions since its external access point was installed, up from 22,868 in the 12 months prior. This represents nearly a 70% increase in Wi-Fi use.

• According to Whofi statistics, the Tremonton Public Library has increased its Wi-Fi usage by 54.13% this year.

• The Montezuma Creek branch of the San Juan County Library System increased its user sign-ins from 15153 to 15675, representing a major increase in usage on the Navajo reservation where it is located.

• Uintah County Library reports that visitor connections have grown from 5,374 in May 2024 to 10,906 in November 2025, an increase of almost 103%

Library directors around the state now consistently describe patrons using Wi-Fi in greater numbers both inside and outside their buildings. They see patrons using Wi-Fi for telework, schoolwork, community groups, and critical appointments such as telehealth and court appearances. Many of them shared specific stories about users taking advantage of the resource.

“We have had numerous comments from our remote workers in the area who come to us to use the Wi-Fi, who have expressed thanks for the upgrade, as it has allowed them to be more reliably available while working remotely, which has helped with their employment,” said Eagle Mountain Public Library Director Michele Graves.

"We were closed for a couple of weeks this December while having some carpet replaced in the library,” said Shawn Bliss, Smithfield Public Library Director, “and I chatted with some regular patrons who normally use the Wi-Fi to work on their devices indoors. They were happy to be able to still access the wireless outside our building during the closure.”

Nicole Perkins, San Juan County Library Director, said, “The Blanding Branch had a group of seniors who were able to use the Wi-Fi in the library’s outside courtyard during the summer, when the library was closed.” In addition, she said that the parking lot La Sal library became a gathering spot for the community, first responders, and volunteers in July of 2025 during the Deer Creek Fire. These people could rely on the library’s Wi-Fi to meet their needs.

Keep an eye on News at uen.org to see more stories about our state’s great libraries!

Related Articles:

• Parowan Public Library
• Emery County Public Library System

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