New Resource for Checkout from Putnam Co. Libraries

Putnam County Libraries now have Google Chromebooks available for checkout.

Assistant Director Matt Knieling said they originally looked into the idea at the start of pandemic when there was concern about virtual learning, but now hopes the resource will benefit Putnam County residents on a wider scale.

“They would be able to check this out and further gain access to things like personal use on the internet but also for job searches, applying for benefits, work-related activities–all sorts of stuff,” Knieling said.

Knieling said adding devices for public checkout has been a trend in public libraries across the nation, and that they wanted Putnam County libraries to be able to keep up to date. Knieling said they were able to buy the devices using grants and donations from the Putnam County Library Friends group.

Any Putnam County library card holder can check out a Chromebook for two weeks at a time and is limited to one Chromebook per household. Knieling said they are putting limits on Chromebook checkouts to ensure equal access to the devices.

Knieling said they chose Chromebooks because of their affordability, sturdiness, and security features.

“Google provides some materials that let you make sure that there are privacy constraints so that the next person using the device isn’t getting all the information of the prior person,” Knieling said. “There are ways that we can control the software that’s installed on it and reset it between each user so everybody gets a really good, consistent experience.”

Not too long ago Putnam County Libraries added hotspots for checkout. Knieling said their popularity made their availability scarce.

“It got to the point where we had waiting lists and holds lists, and we were still able to get devices out to people, but you weren’t always necessarily able to walk in and grab one when you needed it,” Knieling said. “Our goal with the Chromebooks is to try and make sure they’re available when people find that need.”

Chromebooks are available for checkout at all branches of Putnam County Libraries.