You Can Borrow the Internet. Yes, Really.

When most people picture a public library, they picture shelves of books, quiet reading tables, and maybe a newspaper rack. That's still there. But the Westport Free Public Library in 2026 is quietly operating as one of the most robust digital resource centers in the region, and almost nobody outside of the staff knows everything it actually offers.

Let me change that.

The Libby App: Free Ebooks and Audiobooks

Download the Libby app on your phone or tablet. Connect your Westport Library card. Now you have access to thousands of ebooks and digital audiobooks, borrowed directly to your device. This is Audible and Kindle Unlimited, except free. If you have a commute, if you walk the Westport beaches, if you're lying awake at 11pm and want to read without waking anyone: this is your tool.

hoopla: Stream It All

hoopla is like a streaming service powered by your library card. Movies, TV shows, comics, music, and audiobooks, no waitlist, available 24/7. The content library is deep and it works on your phone, tablet, or smart TV.

Kanopy: Films Worth Watching

Kanopy is the quieter cousin of hoopla, focused on independent films, documentaries, and classic cinema. If you've ever wanted to explore beyond the usual streaming algorithms, Kanopy is remarkably good.

SAILS Library Network & Commonwealth Catalogue

Can't find what you need at Westport? The SAILS network and Commonwealth Catalogue let you request materials from libraries across the state, delivered to your branch.

WiFi Hotspots: Borrow the Internet

This one still surprises people. The library lends portable WiFi hotspot devices that you can take home. If your internet is unreliable, if you have a grandchild visiting who needs connectivity for school, if you're traveling on the South Coast and need a connection, borrow one. Call 508-636-1100 for availability.

Free WiFi On-Site

The library also has free WiFi in the building and in the parking lot. 24/7 parking lot access means you can pull in at any hour and connect.

As a technology leader, I think about digital access a lot. Connectivity isn't a luxury anymore: it's infrastructure. The fact that Westport's library is functioning as a digital access point for residents who need it is something this community should be genuinely proud of.

Your library card costs nothing yet, it unlocks all of this.

Set one up at 408 Old County Road, or call 508-636-1100.

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