The library is shifting away from Chromebook lending through general circulation and into a model where we lend Chromebooks to individuals enrolled in programming at a partner agency such as yours. We've been running the latter, alternative model since 2023 and it has been so successful that we are looking to cultivate new partnerships to expand the service.
In a nutshell, the only thing we would require from your organization is the connection to your clients. Otherwise, our primary objective is to get Chromebooks into the hands of adults in our service area who are enrolled in education, workforce, life skills, development programming such as with Green Core Training. Here is an outline of what our successful current partnerships look like.
Partner provides:
- Dates for your program. This allows us to determine the "checkout" duration for the Chromebooks. For example, if your program runs for 12 weeks, we will set the due date for Chromebooks to be 12 weeks from when they are checked out.
- Space for us to check out Chromebooks directly to clients. We've been able to streamline the process over the past few years, so we don't require a lot, maybe a chair and a place to park our wagon. Since we have to check Chromebooks out directly to library card holders, we often issue new library cards, renew accounts, and even possibly clear holds on derogatory accounts for people right there on the spot.
Library provides:
- Chromebooks. These are data-enabled so will connect to the internet anywhere there is cell service, no need for Wi-Fi. Clients are free to check one out to take home, to your program, etc. It has proven helpful, for example, that clients not only have a computer during the training sessions you provide but that they can take home with them to practice the skills they're learning in your program.
- Peripherals and swag. To the checkout sessions at your location we also bring charging cords and plug-in-play mice for the Chromebooks. And items for clients to keep: USB flash drives, stylus pens, earbuds (as available), and various other general library swag items.
- Tech troubleshooting. In addition to the printed instructional that accompany Chromebooks as they are checked out, we also have a team at the library available to provide one-on-one support as needed, either at the nearest library or at your site by appointment. If there is a need for a basic tech skills class, we have a dedicated staff person with the capacity to schedule sessions at your location.
If you think this might help meet a need for your students/clients, connect with Wendy at [email protected]