Friday, February 14, 2025

WRL Launches Free, High-Speed Wi-Fi Zone at Abram Frink Jr. Community Center

Williamsburg Regional Library has launched a free high-speed Wi-Fi zone in the Grove community funded by WRL donors Sandy and Steve Menaquale. (Courtesy of Sandy and Steve Menaquale)

WILLIAMSBURG — Williamsburg Regional Library (WRL) has partnered with James City County (JCC) Parks and Recreation to create a free, high-speed Wi-Fi zone in the Grove community. 

The new Wi-Fi zone, located in and around the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center, creates free public access around the entire building area, including all outdoor recreation areas. 

The new zone is funded by WRL donors Sandy and Steve Menaquale with a matching grant they obtained from Eli Lilly and Company Foundation.

“Many families lack reliable, high-speed internet access, and the library is committed to working with our partners to help address digital access inequities in our area,” WRL Director Betsy Fowler said. “This new free, high-speed Wi-Fi zone builds upon our other access initiatives including providing mobile hotspots on our Bookmobile, offering portable Wi-Fi hotspots for checkout, and boosting Wi-Fi access points at WRL buildings.”

“WRL is grateful to Sandy and Steve Menaquale for their dedication to helping the residents of Grove get internet access, and we are grateful to the Friends of Williamsburg Regional Library Foundation who robustly support our digital access projects,” Fowler added.

Long-time Historic Triangle residents, the Menaquales are working to improve access to high-speed internet to people in the Grove community. 

“In times of trouble, like those we have all experienced with COVID, difficulties are multiplied for people in underserved communities,” Sandy Menaquale said. “Connecting online for work or school is easy for some, but not for those without access to the internet. We are committed to helping the library provide that service.” 

“We feel fortunate in our lives, which makes it even more important to us to give back to the community in a tangible way,” Steve Menaquale said. “We understand that there is this significant need in the community, and we want to do what we can to help.” 

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