(March 20, 2026 1:15 PM ET) Jackson District Library officials are continuing their efforts to expand digital access by offering free public WIFI to residents in Brooklyn through a partnership with the Village of Brooklyn.
Village leaders and library officials have worked together since late 2025 to provide free WIFI, which will be accessible 24/7 to individuals in and around the Village Square in downtown Brooklyn.
“Reliable digital access should extend beyond buildings and paywalls and into public spaces,” JDL Director Liz Breed said. “Adding free public WIFI in downtown Brooklyn creates a welcoming, connected environment in the heart of the village and supports our shared goal of expanding digital access.”
Brooklyn Village Manager Matt Swartzlander echoed Breed’s remarks and said the partnership between the library and the village has been a constructive one.
“By partnering with JDL, we’re making sure residents and visitors can stay connected for work, school, and life while enjoying the small-town charm of our downtown area,” said Village President Estella Roberts. “This collaboration helps us reach residents where they are. Connecting our visitors and residents to free public WIFI adds another wonderful amenity to move our community forward.”
Downtown Brooklyn is the fourth public space in the last five years that JDL has expanded free public WIFI, the first two being Horace Blackman Park in downtown Jackson as well as all Jackson Area Transportation Authority buses making their rounds throughout Jackson County. Free public WIFI is also available at Harmony Park behind the Spring Arbor Branch of JDL.
These initiatives advance JDL’s mission to inspire the community to discover, learn, and succeed through increased connectivity throughout Jackson County and ensure that residents have access to essential online resources, Breed said.
JDL and JATA began implementing free onboard WIFI in May 2021, with JDL supplying mobile hotspots and covering monthly data fees. Building on the momentum of the JATA/JDL partnership, JDL partnered with the city of Jackson to install free public WIFI in downtown’s Horace Blackman Park. City staff retrofitted a light post to support the new equipment, while JDL provided and installed the WIFI hardware.
“All of these partnerships reflect JDL’s commitment to forming innovative collaborations,” Breed said. “Many residents still rely on public computers and WIFI access points across the county, making these initiatives critical to closing the digital divide. We’re not just providers of books – we’re connectors, conveners, and champions of access.”