Organization disperses 40 laptops, hot spots to four counties
Two River Valley groups partnered to distribute 40 laptops and 40 hot spots to four Arkansas counties.
The Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System secured the money for the laptops from the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program, said Amber Mikles, the branch manager for Paris' Boyd T. And Mollie Gattis Logan County Library.
“I just think it’s a good opportunity to bridge the gap for individuals in our community who might want to better themselves," Mikles said.
The library system then gave the laptops to the River Valley Adult Learning Alliance to disperse, said Mikles, who is also a consultant for the alliance.
The laptops and hot spots are going to four counties: Franklin, Johnson, Logan and Yell, according to a press release.
Logan County will receive three laptops and three hot spots.
The laptops and hot spots will go to people who sign up to be students at the River Valley Adult Learning Alliance.
The alliance then checks the laptops out to the students to use for as long as they are in the program.
“They don’t have to just come to the library and use it. They can use it however they need to," Mikles said.
The lack of a computer and wifi can be a huge burden to people trying to go back to school. Having a computer is one less thing they have to worry about.
The money for the laptops came from the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program, which is supported by the Federal Communications Commission with the goal of expanding broadband access throughout the nation.
"This resource will be a game-changer for our communities,” said Meredith Martin-Moats, the River Valley Adult Learning Alliance co-director, in the press release. “Throughout Franklin, Logan, Johnson, Pope and Yell Counties we work with adults and families who are starting their own businesses, attending college and vocational programs, obtaining their GED through adult education, learning English and Spanish and innovatively serving their communities. Having access to a home Chromebook and internet is often the missing puzzle piece in helping adults meet their goals."
In the press release, Martin-Moats described the move as good for everyone in the region.
"When our communities have the resources they need to meet their goals, our entire region benefits. This is how we all work together to build a thriving community," Martin-Moates said in the press release.
Alex Gladden is a University of Arkansas graduate. She previously reported for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and The Jonesboro Sun before joining the Times Record. She can be contacted at agladden@swtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Organization disperses 40 laptops, hot spots to four counties
