THE Government is keen to see the take up of wireless broadband internet access and public libraries could be at the forefront.

As many people sign up to broadband services at home the demand for educational videos and other information is sure to rise.

But linking this up with a wireless network is a bold step and could promote the use of libraries as a central hub.

E-commerce minister Stephen Timms believes high-quality material from the public and private sectors, like medical or educational videos, could be accessed by people in places like public libraries.

Wi-fi or wireless networks allow people with laptops and handheld computers to surf the internet or send and receive data at broadband speeds, provided they have the right wireless equipment.

At wi-fi hotspots, people can log on to these networks, like restaurants, libraries, and schools, without having to plug a cable into a computer.

Not only could people with their own laptop link up to the network, but others could use small computers built into book shelves for example to access multi-media information on a particular subject.