Montclair Library Starts Lending Students Chromebooks

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Public school students in Montclair who need a computer to do their work can get a helping hand from their local library.

On Tuesday, the Montclair Public Library announced that it’s making Chromebooks available for in-library use by students in the Montclair Public School District. Students with library cards will be able to borrow the laptop computers and log in with their own school Google accounts for up to two hours. Students who need more time can ask a staff member for an extension.

Once a student’s session has ended, all information and history is wiped from the device to maintain privacy and security, the library stated.

In addition, the MPL has also increased the number of Hotspots available for checkout. Hotspots, devices that provide free wi-fi access, may also be borrowed by parents and caregivers of Montclair students for a 90-day loan period. Montclair adult residents may borrow hotspots for 28 days and may also check out Chromebooks, with a valid Montclair library card, for use on the second floor of the library for a two-hour loan period. Borrowers must not have internet access at home, the library stated.

“By providing Chromebooks and Hotspots we are helping to bridge the digital divide,” said Library Director Peter Coyl. “We want all our students to have the resources and tools they need to achieve their goals and dreams.”

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