Case Study: Brooklyn Public Library achieves reliable, zero-touch Wi‑Fi and centralized device management across 59 branches with Cisco Meraki

Reducing troubleshooting results in new and improved library programs

Brooklyn Public Library, the sixth-largest public library system in the U.S. serving 2.6 million residents across 59 branches, struggled with unreliable consumer-grade networking, frequent onsite troubleshooting by a two-person IT team, and manual, error-prone management of public iPads that could lock users out. Seeking centralized, scalable, cloud-based control, IT leaders Rawle Jackman and Gerald Horton selected Cisco Meraki to provide access points, switches, and Meraki Systems Manager for endpoint management.

Using Cisco Meraki, BPL deployed Meraki access points and switches to all 59 branches in about a month and a half and enrolled library iPads and MacBooks in Meraki Systems Manager for near zero‑touch provisioning. The result was fast, consistent public Wi‑Fi patrons rely on, remote troubleshooting that eliminated most onsite visits, no tickets about locked devices, and freed IT time to focus on library programs and visitor experience.

Brooklyn Public Library

Rawle Jackman

Manager of Technology Services