More Laptops, WiFi Available For Library Customers

Press release from the City of Phoenix:

June 8, 2021

(PHOENIX) –The digital divide was exacerbated by COVID-19, especially for low-income residents. The city dedicated CARES Act funding to bridge this divide over the last year, including 1750 wifi-enabled tablets provided to seniors, public housing residents, and Experience Corps literacy tutors, providing nearly 10,000 laptops directly to school districts, and expanding the reach of public wifi to all libraries and community centers to be accessed throughout the day outside of the buildings.

To fill the remaining gaps, Phoenix Public Library launched a laptop and hotspot lending program that is available to all library customers. It started with a collection of 425 laptops and 200 hotspots that were available for three-week lending periods. Today Mayor Kate Gallego and State Superintendent Kathy Hoffman announced an expanded program that will double the number of laptops and WIFI hotspots available to better serve our students and residents.

“Access to WIFI and a computer is a necessity for those studying or applying for college, job seekers looking for employment, and seniors accessing telehealth services or staying connected with family,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “This partnership with the Arizona Department of Education will allow us to double the size of the lending program, reserve half of the laptops and hotspots for students, and allow for summer and semester-long lending.”

The Arizona Department of Education has invested more than $800,000 to make this expansion possible. “Over this past year, every student and family has learned just how essential reliable technology is to students’ success,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman. “The City of Phoenix has displayed tremendous leadership by providing students the tools they need to learn and grow. I look forward to continued collaboration between the City and the Arizona Department of Education to best leverage American Rescue Plan funding to support students and families.”

The Mayor and Superintendent marked the expansion at College Depot in Burton Barr Central Library. College Depot offers resources for high school students to access college planning resources as well as assistance with all action steps necessary to earn a GED, diploma, apprenticeship, financial aid, and scholarships.

Card holders can visit phoenixpubliclibrary.org to rent a laptop or hotspot.

Phoenix, Arizona is the fifth largest city in the United States. With a population of 1.7 million, it is also the fastest growing city in the nation. For more information about Phoenix and services available through the city, please visit phoenix.gov.

This press release was produced by the City of Phoenix. The views expressed here are the author’s own.