ATHOL – The Athol Public Library has received a grant through the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s Connected and Online Program that provided 150 laptops and tablet computers to help Massachusetts residents access education, employment and healthcare services online.
Library Director Jean Shaughnessy said the grant provided the library with 100 laptops, 50 tablets and other equipment, valued at approximately $250,000. The devices are available through the library to Massachusetts residents who meet the program’s requirements.
Borrowers must be at least 18 years old, have or obtain a library card, and use the devices for education, employment or health-related purposes. Use of the devices won’t be tracked and there is no income requirement for those that wish to take part in the program.
Shaughnessy said devices are loaned to the borrowers for an initial three-month period and will likely be renewed during the grant period, which currently runs through December. She said Athol Library participants will be able to keep the devices once the grant period ends.
In addition, Shaughnessy said some of the laptops are equipped with JAWS (Job Access With Speech), a screen reader that converts on-screen text into speech or Braille, making computers more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision.
The grant is part of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s $28.5 million Connected and Online Program, which is distributing more than 26,000 devices and 20,000 pieces of supporting equipment to more than 200 organizations statewide, including libraries, hospitals and nonprofits.
“Massachusetts residents rely on the internet every day to find work, take classes, access health care and build stronger community ties,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a press release. “The Connected and Online Program helps residents improve their lives by equipping them with the capacity to directly access services and opportunities.”
Shaughnessy said the library decided to pursue the grant after seeing a demand for technology through an earlier partnership with the Athol Senior Center.
“I figured that there was certainly a demand and that we were in a position to help people with using them and distributing them,” she said.
She hopes residents will continue to benefit from the devices long after they receive them.
“They’ll have a piece of equipment that they can use for lots of uses, and that will help them become better informed and better connected to information and even family,” Shaughnessy said.
Residents will also be able to return to the library if they need help using their devices from staff. The library also hopes to offer technology workshops and instructional sessions in the future, although those plans depend on staffing.
“It gives them somebody that they can come to for free and troubleshoot or ask for help in using them,” she added.
The library is partnering with MassHire, MassAbility, Valuing Our Children, local schools, community colleges and the Athol High School Family and Community Center to connect eligible residents with the program. Residents do not need a referral to participate but must complete a brief 10- to 15-minute orientation before receiving a device.
Residents interested in borrowing a laptop or tablet can contact the Athol Public Library at 978-249-9515 to schedule the required orientation and determine eligibility.