The Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) is expanding a program that will allow families more access to laptops and internet at home. With just five days left in his term, Mayor Eric Garcetti held a press conference at Baldwin Hills Branch Library to announce the Tech2go Computer Bundle Program.
“There’s somebody who’s waiting to be the next big something, to graduate from school, or maybe to get the treatment from a doctor to save their lives. But we shouldn’t let people suffer for their health, we shouldn’t let their education outcomes or their economic opportunity suffer simply because they don’t have a laptop and an internet connection. Not in 2022”, Garcetti said.
The Tech2go bundle program allows patrons to take home laptops and WiFi hotspots with unlimited data for long-term use. Without access, it’s difficult to apply for jobs, or for students to do homework. Librarians say this is a crucial step to closing the digital equity gap.
Bích Ngọc Cao, President of the L.A. Board of Library Commissioners spoke fondly on the possibilities awaiting patrons. “I think that internet access is a human right in this modern age. There’s just so many different ways that this Tech2go bundle can help people out”, said Cao.
Thanks to federal funding, 5,000 bundles have been added to the program, bringing the total to 7,000 Tech2go computer bundles that will be dispersed across 73 public library locations, and families will be able to reserve a bundle for up to six months at a time.
City Librarian, John Szabo summed up the data. “We find that 71 percent of the people that check these out, there are two or more people from the home, and 23 percent, there are over four people in the home. So it’s really a way of not just serving one person, but an entire household. We know that by expanding this program, we are able to help many more Angelenos thrive in today’s digital age”, Szabo said.
Baldwin Hills Branch Library is located on La Brea Ave and Westhaven, and has been on the forefront of the Tech2go bundle from the beginning. Senior Librarian, Sada Mozer tied-in the bundle’s popularity to the needs of the surrounding communities.
“They don’t stay on the shelves here. We are the number one branch to get rid of the bundles first. A library has to reflect the community that it’s in. The number one thing that we want people to do is to feel welcome. [Whether] old, young, or unhoused, if there’s a need that we can fill, they’re more than welcome here”, said Mozer.
Branch Adult Literacy Coordinator, Lisa Sprinkles echoed the importance of needs fulfillment. “I truly believe humanity is in need of humanity. I recruit learners and volunteer tutors to help our community learn to read, write and comprehend English. We just had a Family Read Together workshop. We have a new curriculum, and we gave out free books. It means everything to a person to learn how to read. We’re here to share that gift with them”, Sprinkles said.
At the press conference, Mr. Garcetti introduced this reporter, Rodd Amos. As a proud library patron, I was among the first to benefit from the Tech2go program. I first heard of it from the senior librarian at Wilshire Branch Library, and reserved the laptop and mobile hotspot from Washington Irving Branch Library. Check-out was fast and setting up was easy.
While using the bundle, I was able to earn professional certification in Advanced Project Management, apply for a fellowship with the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism, and secure work with the Los Angeles Sentinel.
The Tech2go computer bundles are available to be checked out by adults with a library card who are in good standing. All patrons must sign a Mobile Device User Agreement upon checkout at a library location. For more information, visit https://lapl.org/.
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