Laundry Rey’s Wash ’n Fold recently partnered with Libraries Without Borders to launch an internet-enabled library at one of the San Antonio laundromat chain’s locations, as part of the international nonprofit group’s Wash and Learn initiative.
“When I would come to the laundromat, I typically would sit in my car and wait for the laundry to be done,” said Clarissa Galindo, South Texas project coordinator for Libraries Without Borders. “We’re hoping to meet the community here, where they now can have access to computers, tablets and books in the laundromat while they wait.”
This is the second Laundry Rey’s facility to participate in the Wash and Learn program.
The initiative is supported through Google Fiber, which helps Libraries Without Borders equip laundromats with laptops, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, books and other educational resources.
“We believe everybody should have access to internet that’s fast and reliable,” explained John-Michael Cortez, who oversees government and community affairs for Google Fiber in San Antonio.
“Internet access is no longer a luxury,” added Marina Alderete Gavito, executive director for SA Digital Connects. “It’s a necessity, simply because we’ve moved more toward a digital economy.”
All of the library resources at both Laundry Rey’s locations are free to the stores’ customers.
