WCLS boosts WiFi signal at future Birch Bay library

The future Birch Bay Vogt Community Library now has a boosted WiFi signal for community use that reaches the beach across the street from the site.

The Whatcom County Library System has enhanced the drive-up WiFi service at four of its branches and the future site of the Birch Bay library, according to a press release from the Whatcom County Library System. This site is currently the Birch Bay Bookmobile Stop at 7968 Birch Bay Drive.

In July, the library system installed new WiFi routers and service extenders to improve service at five locations – Birch Bay, Deming, Everson, Ferndale and Sudden Valley – according to the press release. Christine Perkins, executive director of the Whatcom County Library System, said in the press release they’ve always offered public WiFi access from their parking lots, but in these locations, the service was spotty.

“When library buildings were closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, we were concerned about the impact on patrons who rely on us for computer and Internet access,” Perkins said. “As we thought about how we could support our community during this time, improved access to the Internet was one of the solutions that rose to the top.”

The library system bought the Birch Bay property in 2017 and plans to build a branch library on site when funds allow.

The press release says community members do not need a library card to access the Internet, but they may need one to use digital content and resources. Although libraries are closed, library cardholders may check out laptops for up to one hour a day in their personal vehicles or other spaces outside the library branches.

Community members use the library’s Internet service to search and apply for jobs, write and send emails, attend online classes, conduct research, and for entertainment, the press release says. For more information on this and other library services, call 360/305-3600 or visit wcls.org/info.