Elizabeth Castañeda, (408) 808-2175
elizabeth.castaneda@sjlibrary.org
Nancy Macías, (408) 712-2150
nancy.macias@sjlibrary.org
Monday, April 26, 2021
SJ Library Launches a Chromebook and iPad Lending Service
San Jose Public Library expands its Tech Device catalog to include iPads and Chromebooks
San José, Calif., April 26, 2021 - The San José Public Library (SJPL) has extended its tech device lending options to include HP Chromebooks and iPads, thanks to the City of San José’s SJ Access initiative to provide residents equitable access to all things digital.
Library cardholders can now borrow HP Chromebooks and/or iPads to help them virtually connect to essential services for themselves and their family, including schoolwork, job search, medical appointments, and other online activities.
Tech devices available for checkout at all Express Pickup locations include 3,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hotspots and 600 HP Chromebooks. Tech devices available at select SJPL Express Pickup locations include 35 Dell laptops and 120 iPads.
The expansion of the new tech devices was made available to the public on Monday, April 19 and in just the first week, a combined total of 74% of Chromebooks and iPads have been checked out by library cardholders.
All devices can be checked out for a 90-day period and extended for up to 30-days. Devices must be requested in advance and require an appointment for pick up. At the time of the appointment, staff provides an overview of the device and a user guide is available in different languages to ensure customers can successfully use the device from the comfort of their home. Library cardholders of all ages can check out the devices but cardholders ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Since August 2020, the Library has provided 12,800 free SJ Access high-speed AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots to students, and 3,000 hotspots to members of the public. The Library has also made available laptops for check out, online computer classes, tech support, and outdoor Wi-Fi access at City libraries.
To learn more about SJ Access and tech devices at SJPL, visit sjpl.org/SJAccess
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