CAK Free Web Access was made available today using retrofitted computers provided by the Library, Internet access using the airport's free wireless connection provided by First Communications, and a library-developed operating system especially for CAK Free Web Access.

"If you are in a rush, there is no need to boot up your personal computer because CAK Free Web Access is available to all CAK visitors," said Rick McQueen, assistant airport director. "We are grateful to the library for providing this free service which certainly enhances passenger access to quick information." Two kiosks will be available for customer use; one in the ticket counter area and another beyond the passenger security checkpoint.

"The library's core mission is to provide people access to information," said Kent Oliver, executive director of the Stark County District Library. "How and where they access that information is constantly evolving. We view placing Internet access kiosks in the airport as an extension of our mission," Oliver continued. "Though the airport has provided free wireless Internet access for some time, travelers may not have the time, tools, or means to use it with their own devices. With these terminals, which we were able to retrofit from PCs we had taken out of service at the library; it will be a quick and easy for people to find the information they need. And, the best thing about it is, it's free!"

The Stark County District Library is one of the best 100 libraries in the United States. Its Main Library, 10 Branch Libraries, and two Bookmobiles and two Kidmobiles serve 146,000 library card holders. More than 1.5 million people visited the Main Library or its Branches and Bookmobiles last year. Holdings number more than 970,000 items, and annual circulation is 4.05 million items. The collection includes books, audio visual materials, and periodicals for all ages. In addition, the Library provides programs and classes for adults, teens, and children, computer and Internet access, inter-library loans, Reference and Genealogy services, and traveling collections on two Bookmobiles and two Kidmobiles, as well as Outreach services to shut-ins, nursing homes, and housing units. It is one of the nine largest library systems in the state of Ohio, serving 12 local school districts.

Akron-Canton Airport kicked off CAK 2018, its 10-year, $110-million Capital Improvement in March of this year. The plan is the most ambitious in the airport's 62-year history and includes a 600 ft. runway extension allowing full-sized jets to reach the west coast, Caribbean and Mexico. Other projects are a Customs and Border Patrol Facility, extended upper level concourse and the construction of Port Green, 213 acres that will be developed into 10-12 business sites which could bring more than 1,000 high paying jobs to northeast Ohio.

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