Tech Take-Out offers lendable tech devices that can be checked out

(Source: Santa Cruz Public Library)

January 22, 2021 — Santa Cruz, CA

Tech Take-Out is a new lendable collection of tech devices that can be checked out by people who don’t have access at home.

The collection includes Amazon Fire 7 Tablets, Chromebook laptops, WiFi Hotspots, and Chromebook + Hotspot bundles. The collection became available for checkout starting January 19, 2021.

Library cardholders can visit the catalog or use our mobile app to search for and request any of the devices or the bundle by name. For example, a keyword search for “fire tablet” or “hotspot” will work. Once the devices are on hold at the chosen library branch, they can be picked up at regular Grab & Go lobby service hours. Borrowers must be 18 years or older, and a lending agreement must be signed. The checkout period is 3 weeks, just like all other library materials. Instructional guides in English and Spanish are available.

With our buildings closed, access to computers and the internet has been a challenge for many who rely on the library for access. While we do have strong WiFi signals at our 5 Grab & Go Branches for those who already have devices, we knew we needed to do more. A separate collection of these devices will also be loaned out to partner organizations with close connections to individuals without access to internet and computers. We hope this new collection will be a step in the right direction toward expanding access to internet and computing for our community.

Check out our getting started guides in English and Spanish:

• Mobile Hotspot Guide – English
• Mobile Hotspot Guide – Spanish
• Fire Tablet Guide – English 
• Fire Tablet Guide – Spanish
• Chromebook Guide – English
• Chromebook Guide – Spanish

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Originally published here: https://www.santacruzpl.org/news/post/1179/

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Tagged Santa Cruz Public Library