FREE Computer, Device, and Tech Assistance and Education in New Hanover County

Free Public Wi-Fi

The county’s network name is “NHC_FreeWi-Fi” and does not require a password to access. 

  • NHC Government Center – south parking lot and inside building during business hours (230 Government Center Drive) 
  • Health and Human Services parking lot (1650 Greenfield Street) 
  • Register of Deeds parking lot (320 Chestnut Street) 
  • Cape Fear Museum Park (814 Market Street) 
  • Downtown/Main Library (230 Grace Street) 
  • Northeast Public Library branch – parking area on left of building (1241 Military Cutoff Road) 
  • Pine Valley Library branch – parking area in front of the outdoor chessboard (3802 S. College Road) 
  • Pleasure Island Library branch – parking area in front of entrance (1401 N. Lake Park Boulevard, Number 72, Carolina Beach) 
  • Environmental Management administration parking lot (3002 U.S. Highway 421 North) 
  • Castle Hayne Fire Department parking lot (5311 Castle Hayne Road) 
  • Porter’s Neck Fire Department parking lot (8310 Shiraz Way) 
  • Senior Resource Center (2222 College Road) 

Computer Labs & Tech Help

Cape Fear Literacy Council 

Location: 1012 S 17th St, Wilmington, NC 28401 
Contact: Delia Stanley at dstanley@cfliteracy.org or call (910) 251-0911 

What to Know:

  • Volunteer tutors provide tech help and teach computer skills.
  • Computer Lab open Tuesday and Thursday from 12 – 1:30 in Building B. It helps to call and reserve a spot.
  • 8 laptops are available.

The Literacy Council also offers a Mobile Lab for nonprofit organizations that need digital access, personalized instruction, and customizable classes/workshops. 

New Hanover County Public Library

Branch Locations: 

  • Main Library: 230 Grace St, Wilmington, NC 28401 
  • Northeast Regional Library: 1241 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington, NC 28405 
  • Pine Valley Library: 3802 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28412 
  • Pleasure Island Library: 1401 N. Lake Park Boulevard, Carolina Beach, NC 28428 

Contact: Tiffany Boeglen, tboeglen@nhcgov.com 

What to Know:

  • Computer Labs are available to the public during all hours the library is open, but there is no dedicated staff to help with technology.
  • All NHCPL locations offer public computers, internet access, and printing services. 
  • With your library account, you can print up to 10 pages per day for free. After that, printing costs $0.10 per black and white page and $0.30 per color page. 

New Hanover Government Center 

Location: 230 Government Center Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403 
Contact: (910) 798-7311 

What to Know:

  • Computer Lab is open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5pm.
  • No staff/volunteers to provide tech support.  
  • Hosts workshops for specific digital topics. 
  • Has an online Community Resource portal for services including mental health, food assistance, and emergency relief.  [include that website here?]

Senior Resource Center 

Location: 2222 College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403 
Contact: Emily Ford at eford@nhcgov.com or call (910) 798-6400 

What to Know:

  • The Computer Lab is open to [seniors??] the public during all open hours.  
  • 2 public access computers are available for use.
  • Tech Help on Fridays: Call (910) 612-5379 to sign up for a 30-minute appointment with a volunteer teacher [?]. 
  • Device Advice: Call (910) 612-5379 to sign up for a 60-minute appointment with a volunteer teacher [?].  
  • Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) classes are available through a partnership with AARP’s seniorplanet.org. To learn more about these lectures and workshops on technology call (910) 798-6450. 

UNCW 

Location: 5162 Randall Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403 
Contact: Library Help Desk at rlcirculation@uncw.edu or call (910) 962-3272 

What to Know:

  • The Computer Lab is available to the public during all open hours, but there is no staff or volunteer tech support 
  • Computers for general public are on the first floor of Randall Library.  Maximum time limit is 2 hours per day.  
  • Guest computers require a login name and password, which may be obtained at the Library Help Desk through a one-time registration process. A valid picture ID card is required to register for access. 
  • Guest computers provide Internet access and the Microsoft Office suite. 
  • Printing and copying services are available at the Guest iPrint stations on the first floor of Randall Library.