New Westminster Public Library patrons will be able to access online resources 24-7 with one of its latest offerings.
Anyone with borrowing privileges at the library is able to take advantage of the library’s latest service –Lenovo N23 Chromebooks are now available on loan on a first-come, first-serve basis.
“They can borrow a Chromebook either for three hours (express loan) or for seven days (regular loan),” said Erin Watkins, the library’s manager of programs and community development. “It’s a way to provide services and/or access to both internet and some programs. You can borrow one of the Chromebooks and leave the library with it.”
With space at a premium while the main branch is being renovated, the library decided it was the perfect time to introduce the Chromebook lending service. The devices are Wi-Fi enabled and will connect automatically to the public Wi-Fi network when used in the library or any other public areas in New Westminster where CityPublicWifi is in range.
“We were actually offering it as a service because when we moved from the second floor down to the main floor, we lost some of our community computers,” Watkins said about the library renovations. “This was a way, if we were really full on the main floor with users, that we could actually provide additional services and they had the opportunity to borrow a Chromebook.”
According to the library, these laptops work best for browsing the internet or completing tasks that require the use of a browser, such as taking online courses, filling out online forms or writing emails. The Chromebooks can also be used to take advantage of the New Westminster Public Library’s online offerings, such as learning a new language with Rocket Languages, checking out a variety of magazines and newspapers from around the world with PressReader and RBdigital or watching films in Indieflix.
For more information about the Chromebook service, visit the library in person, email [email protected] or call 604-527-4666.
