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Borders has recently announced that they will begin offering free Wi-Fi in their 500+ retail locations.  The announcement comes as part of the recent partnership with Verizon and will allow for customers visitors to surf the Internet for free beginning sometime in mid-October.

According to the official announcement; Borders Group chief executive officer Ron Marshall stated that “re-engaging with customers as a serious bookseller is one of our strategic priorities.”

Of course, to me that seems like they are making a move to get people to start visiting their retail locations a little more often.

He also went on to state that “by offering free Wi-Fi, we are extending the open atmosphere of exploration that is at the core of every great bookstore experience and furthering the sense of community we have always fostered at Borders.”

That said though, this seems like a move that had to happen, if for no other reason than their competitor (Barnes & Noble) began offering free Wi-Fi back in late July.  It does make you wonder what took Border so long to make the announcement though.

But hey, why turn down free Wi-Fi?  Now book reading wireless moochers will have yet another place to sit and take up space.

Via [Gear Log]