Westfield Athenaeum
WESTFIELD – Westfield Gas + Electric is bringing its high-speed Internet service, Whip City Fiber, to the patrons of the Westfield Athenaeum via a new partnership. The Westfield Athenaeum, which recently completed a nearly $1.7 million renovation, now has gigabit internet services provided by Whip City Fiber, available for public use at the library’s workstations and wireless network.
In addition to new fiber technology installed throughout the library, Whip City Fiber and Westfield Athenaeum will partner to offer workshops on streaming and other technology-based events.
“Westfield Athenaeum is a communal gathering place in Westfield, and we are thrilled to partner with them to bring Whip City Fiber’s high-speed internet service and information about technology to their patrons,” said Tony Contrino, general manager of Westfield Gas + Electric.
“We are excited to partner with Whip City Fiber to bring a better overall experience to our patrons,” said Director of the Westfield Athenaeum Dan Paquette. “In addition to high speed wireless access throughout the building, we have 16 public computers available in the Reference area for adult use, and offer, for a small charge, printing, copying and faxing service. There are also three computers designated for teen use and six in the Boys & Girls Library for younger children. High-speed internet will allow our patrons of all ages to explore the Athenaeum’s resources and use the internet quickly. We expect that events we hold in conjunction with Whip City Fiber will be a valuable asset to the community at large.”
The first event is a Streaming Workshop which will be held at the Athenaeum on Thursday, May 9 from 10-11:30 a.m. Whip City Fiber representatives will share information about using the internet to watch TV, movies, and sports with a live demonstration.
Both Westfield Athenaeum and Westfield Gas + Electric are longstanding organizations in the Westfield community. Westfield Athenaeum has been providing library services to the residents of Westfield since 1868, when Hiram H. Harrison, president of the American Whip Company, provided funds for a library and reading room for the town. Westfield Gas + Electric dates back to 1860, when a group of private stockholders gathered with the goal of providing the residents and businesses of Westfield with gas for lighting and heat.
