My post about the disturbance caused by an unexpected wireless network in my local library was joyfully mocked on several techie sites. Well, you may continue your derision; the gods did it again.
Last Saturday, the Alexandria Beatley Central Library began offering free Wi-Fi to all comers--residents and nonresidents. Watch out Panera!
Since the library is a government enterprise, there was no attempt to profit from the wi-fi network. There was no advertising of this achievement--not even a small sign--, and no hip college student selling coffee swill at a stand. Nobody at the library could tell me anything sensible about the network. Even the ordinarily sharp ladies at the reference desk had just received a typed memo informing them. Note that they mentioned that users of the wi-fi network must accept the library internet use policy, even though no message or login screen prompts them to accept it.
UPDATE: There are signs up now. It's a beta test...
Free wi-fi is also available at the Bookceller coffeehouse at the Milwaukee Central library.