LibGuides: Library Support: COVID-19: Wi-Fi Locations

Options from Internet/Cellular Providers

Comcast XFinity provides free Hotspot Internet access to everyone for free.
"Xfinity WiFi hotspots in out-of-home locations will be available for free to anyone who needs them, including non-Xfinity Internet customers, to keep our communities connected with their friends and family."
AT&T provides WiFI hotspot availability to everyone. Income limited households can qualify for $10 a month unlimited Internet.
"All AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers, as well as Fixed Wireless Internet, can use unlimited internet data. Additionally, we’ll continue to offer internet access for qualifying limited income households at $10 a month through our Access from AT&T program. "
Verizon adds extra 15GB Internet data to wireless customers.
"If our customers are experiencing a hardship, they should call our customer service team to discuss their situation and available options."

Other Locations to Consider

Virginia WiFi Hotspot map

Community/Recreational Centers
Fast food restaurants (McDonalds, Hardees)
Stores (Dollar General, )
Grocery Stores (Walmart, Publix, Food Lion, etc.)
Local businesses and coffee shops

Note: It is recommended that students reach out to businesses directly to get permission to use wi-fi.

Where's the Wi-Fi?

Looking for somewhere to go to connect to the internet to complete your remote coursework?

Check out the list below.

Please note: We used the above regional map to organize locations. Most of these locations are physically closed, but we have been told that RBC students may park in the parking lots to access public internet connections.

Northern Virginia

Arlington Public Library
Branch locations throughout Arlington. WiFi connectivity will vary based on branch location. It is recommended if you live in the area to look into the Internet Essentials package from Comcast.
Central Rappahannock Regional Library Stystem
Branch locations in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. All branch locations have public WiFi accessible in their parking lots. There is no timer, so students can access at any time. Connections are not monitored. If students have any issues with connectivity, they can email or chat with the branch by accessing the Ask Us page on the website.
Fairfax County Public Library System
Branch locations in Centreville, Chantilly, City of Fairfax, George Mason, Pohick, Reston, Sherwood, and Tysons Pimmit. Students can access WiFi from parking lots between the hours of 9am-9pm. Connection name is FFXLIB.
Loudoun County Public Library System
Branch locations in Ashburn, Brambleton, Cascades, Gum Springs, Lovettsville, Middleberg, Purcellville, Rust, and Sterling.

Central Virginia

Appomattox Regional Library System
Branch locations in Hopewell, Burrowsville, Carson, Dinwiddie, Disputanta, McKenney, Prince George, and Petersburg. WiFi is accessible from 6am-9pm. Students who do not have an ARLS library card will need to email admin@arls.org with their name, address, email address and phone number. Admin will email back a temporary card number valid through Sept. 30. Students will need to use this number (or the number on their current ARLS card) to login to WiFi. NOTE: Some locations will not receive signal from parking lots. For those locations, students are welcome to sit outside, closer to the building, until signal is reached.
Central Rappahannock Regional Library
Branch locations in Westmoreland County. All branch locations have public wi-fi accessible in their parking lots. There is no timer, so students can access at any time. Connections are not monitored. If students have any issues with connectivity, they can email or chat with the branch by accessing the Ask Us page on the website.
Chesterfield County Public Library System
All library locations have WiFi. It is on 24/7 and no password is needed. The reach of the WiFi outside the building varies by location and students are encouraged to find a location that allows them to stay in their vehicle while accessing the WiFi.
Colonial Heights Public Library
Open WiFi accessiblity available in parking lot. Students will need to accept the terms on the public_library splash page.
Time constraints exist. Students will occasionally need to reconnect.
Dinwiddie County Public Buildings
Locations include the Dinwiddie County Government Complex, Eastside Community Enhancement Center, McKenney Gym, and the Robert & Betty Ragsdale Community Building.
Heritage Public Library
Branch locations in New Kent and Charles City. WiFi is available in parking lots at both locations. At New Kent location, connect to HPL Guest. Use password Reading7791. At Charles City location, connect to Library Guest. No password required. Sign in page should pop up automatically; if it does not, reopen the internet browser on your device and it should appear. Agree to terms and conditions.
James L. Hamner Public Library
Branch located in Amelia. WiFi is accessible from parking lot and street. Students encouraged to move around library to find locations with strongest connections.
Lunenburg County Library System
Branch locations in Victoria and Kenbridge. In Victoria, WiFi is on 8:30am until 5:30pm. Password is Guests23974 ; in Kenbridge, WiFi is on 8:30am-8pm on Monday and 8:30am-6pm the rest of the week. Password in Kenbridge is Guests23944 .
Mecklenburg County Public Library System
Branch locations located in Boydton, Chase City, Clarksville, and South Hill. No time restrictions or passwords required.
Meherrin Regional Library
Branch locations in Brunswick and Emporia. WiFi connectivity from the parking areas and near the entrances. There are no restrictions and no passwords needed. Any questions can be emailed to brunswicklibrary@gmail.com or richardsonmemoriallibrary@gmail.com.
Nottoway County Public Library System
Branch locations in Blackstone, Crewe, and Burkeville. Connection capabilities can vary based on device. Recommended to park as close to library buildings as possible.
Powhatan County Public Library
Branch location in Powhatan. Guest WiFi is available in the parking lot 24/7.
Prince George Electric Cooperative WiFi Locations
Locations include various schools in Prince George Virginia.

Hampton Roads

Blackwater Regional Library System
Branch locations located in Carrollton, Claremont, Courtland, Franklin, Smithfield, Surry, Wakefield, Waverly, and Windsor. There are no restrictions, logins, or time limits. All branches have WiFi for patrons to access from outside of the library; library card/PIN not required. All of the local towns and counties are aware of WiFi access availability 24/7 so there shouldn’t be any issues with the time of day, or amount of time, students visit the library.
Chesapeake Public Library System
All branch locations have WiFi available just outside the building. There are no passwords, time restrictions or limitations.
Currently able to provide fax and print services. (http://infopeake.org/wireless-printing).
Gloucester County Public Library
Branch locations in New Kent and Hayes (York). WiFi available at both locations. WiFi name: Public Library Internet ; WiFi password: hellopatron
Hampton Public Library
WiFi is available anywhere near branch locations, including side streets. Students are encouraged to move around as needed to find the strongest signal.
Newport News Public Library
WiFi available at all branches 24/7. Most of the time the signal reaches to the parking lot or near the building. Libraries are closed and some of the parking areas are isolated and not regularly patrolled by the police or security. The user does not require a library card number or PIN. Look for the WiFi called NNPL_VISITOR and be aware that it is an unsecured connection. They are given 3 hour sessions but when and if they get booted off, they can just reconnect.
Suffolk Public Library
WiFi is available at branch locations, but downtown location is best option for accessing WiFi in parking lot. Staff is in building from 9am-5pm and is available by phone (757-514-7323) and email (reference@suffolkva.us) to answer questions if anyone gets stuck.
Virginia Beach Public Library System
Branch locations located throughout Virginia Beach. Students can use public WiFi in parking lot Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm.

Blue Ridge

Jefferson-Madison Regional Library System
Branch locations in Charlottesville, Crozet, Standardsville, Mineral, Lovingston, and Scottsville. WiFi available in parking lots. No password required.