People visiting any of the Cornwall Council’s 26 libraries are now be able to log on to the internet from their own tablet, phone or laptop following the introduction of free Wi-Fi.

Mark Read, Cornwall Council service director for customer access and digital services, said: “The introduction of free Wi-Fi, which allows people to access the internet through their own phone or other device whilst in the library, provides a great opportunity for people to have free, instant, easy access to council services online.

The introduction of free Wi-Fi in libraries is yet another way in which we are improving access to council services and helping our residents get online.”

Through the council’s online self-service, people can go to the council website at cornwall.gov.uk and perform many tasks including viewing their personal council tax account information, managing and viewing their benefits, paying for many services, signing up for garden waste collections and ordering bulky waste collections.

Angela Woodford, from Truro, who won an iPad air after being entered into a free prize draw for signing up to online billing, said: “I do everything online. I’m completely paperless with everything else already. My council tax was just another bill that is now online. It’s great, it means I get no post.”

Anyone visiting one of the council's libraries who doesn’t know how to get online can also sign up for a free four-week computer course for beginners. Learners can now bring their own devices if they wish or there will be access to computers in the library.

The library computer courses have been a resounding success to date, with one user stating that they would continue to use the library’s internet service even though they have home access.

So far, we the council has supported 550 people each year to get online at its libraries, with statistics showing that 85 per cent of people attending a course are still using the internet six months later.

Prior to the introduction of free Wi-Fi in all 26 libraries, learners would have had to either be transferred to other libraries, or wait for places on these courses, Now that free Wi-Fi is available, there will be an increase in the number of people able to access the internet and take part in courses.

Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council cabinet member for communities, added: “Cornwall Council welcomes the introduction of Wi-Fi to all of our libraries and we hope everyone finds it useful. If anyone cannot use the online system to access services, then they can contact us by phone or if necessary a face to face meeting with an officer can be arranged at a mutually convenient venue.”