Laptops, hotspots available to borrow at all Akron-Summit County Public Library locations
All 19 locations of the Akron-Summit County Public Library now have laptops and mobile hotspots that are available for qualifying patrons to borrow.
The library said in a news release that the new mobile hotspot and laptop lending service is meant to provide internet access to library cardholders who don't have sufficient access in their homes.
"Access to the internet and digital literacy is critical to success in school, seeking employment, managing personal finances, and pursuing health and wellness," the library's news release said.
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The T-Mobile wireless hotspots with unlimited data have a two-week loan period, while the Windows 10 laptop bundles — which will be pre-loaded with the internet, Microsoft Office, Zoom, library apps and other productivity software — have a four-week loan period.
There are 57 total laptop and hotspot bundles, with three available at each of the 19 branches. There are another 170 total hotspots for the system, and they can can be reserved for pickup at any location, said Akron-Summit County Public Library Technology Director Ryan McCoy.
The Odom Boulevard and Maple Valley branches have had hotspots available since last summer, thanks to a grant-funded community partnership with the Progressive Alliance CDC, McCoy said.
Requirements for borrowing include being an Akron-Summit County Public Library cardholder who is at least 18 years old and doesn't have sufficient internet or computer access outside the library.
Those interested in borrowing have to visit one of the 19 Akron-Summit County Public Library locations and complete the Lending Borrowers Agreement Form.
Patrons are responsible for costs associated with loss or damage, with the total replacement cost of $65 for a hotspot ($30 for the hotspot unit, $10 for the power adaptor and $25 for the case) and $435 for a laptop ($350 for the laptop, $50 for the charger and $35 for the case).
Hours at the 19 library locations, listed below, are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and closed Sundays, unless otherwise noted.
∙ Main Library: 60 S. High St., Akron, 330-643-9000 (Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays)
∙ Ellet: 2470 E. Market St., Akron, 330-784-2019
∙ Fairlawn-Bath: 3101 Smith Road, Bath Township, 330-666-4888
∙ Firestone Park: 1486 Aster Ave., Akron, 330-724-2126
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∙ Goodyear: 60 Goodyear Blvd., Akron, 330-784-7522
∙ Green: 4046 Massillon Road, Green, 330-896-9074
∙ Highland Square: 807 W. Market St., Akron, 330-376-2927
∙ Kenmore: 969 Kenmore Blvd., Akron, 330-745-6126
∙ Maple Valley: 1187 Copley Road, Akron, 330-864-5721
∙ Mogadore: 144 S. Cleveland Ave., Mogadore, 330-628-9228
∙ Nordonia Hills: 9458 Olde Eight Road, Northfield Center Township, 330-467-8595
∙ North Hill: 183 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Akron, 330-535-9423
∙ Northwest Akron: 1720 Shatto Ave., Akron, 330-836-1081
∙ Norton: 3930 South Cleveland-Massillon Road, Norton, 330-825-7800
∙ Odom Boulevard: 600 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron, 330-434-8726
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∙ Portage Lakes: 4261 Manchester Road, New Franklin, 330-644-7050
∙ Richfield: 3761 S. Grant St., Richfield, 330-659-4343
∙ Springfield-Lakemore: 1500 Canton Road, Suite 360, Lakemore, 330-643-4770 (Hours: 12 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, 12 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, closed Sundays)
∙Tallmadge: 90 Community Road, Tallmadge, 330-633-4345
Funding for the hotspots comes from the Emergency Connectivity Fund program, which was established as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and funds schools and public libraries to purchase hotspots and other devices.
The total ECF funding for the laptops is $20,862, and the total expected cost for the hotspots, including monthly data, is $127,366.20, McCoy said.
“We are pleased to enhance the library’s technology assistance to the community. The latest service expands what the library has provided for years — public computers and free Wi-Fi at all 19 of our locations — but with the convenience of access away from the library,” Executive Director Pam Hickson-Stevenson said in a statement. “We are grateful to acquire ECF support that helps us promote digital inclusion.”
The program is part of the library's Library of Things, with patrons able to borrow artwork, cake pans, educational kits, kitchen tools, memory kits, recreational things (which include games, musical instruments, electronics and passes to the Akron Children's Museum, Akron Zoo and Akron Art Museum) and STEM kits.
For more information, visit the Library of Things homepage at akronlibrary.org/books-more/library-of-things.
Contact Beacon Journal reporter Emily Mills at emills@thebeaconjournal.com and on Twitter @EmilyMills818.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron-Summit County Public Library branches have laptops, hotspots
