This month the Cazenovia Public Library will launch CNYFi, a technology lending and digital literacy initiative made possible by the Central New York Library Resources Council (CLRC), the Central New York Community Foundation and a matching grant provided by the Fox family. The pilot program will allow patrons at select Central New York libraries to “Check Out the Internet” by borrowing “Internet kits” to use at home.
The library is joining a movement committed to closing the nation’s digital divide by providing increased access to information through free home internet use and digital literacy training. Cazenovia is one of several libraries across the Central New York region to participate in this pilot program.
The library will circulate three internet kits, each containing a Chromebook and a 4G Verizon wireless hotspot device. Chromebooks are laptop computers that run on a Chrome operating system. Most of their data and applications are stored in the Cloud and are available only with Internet access. The hotspots are small battery-powered units that provide 4G Internet access to connected devices (e.g., smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.) within the Verizon Wireless coverage area. These units are capable of connecting up to ten devices, allowing multiple users to access the Internet simultaneously.
Internet kits will be loaned to patrons, age 18 and older, with library cards in good standing. Kits are not available for immediate checkout from the circulation desk. Patrons must complete a digital literacy and training session with a library staff member and sign a loan agreement prior to checkout. Interested parties will be contacted to arrange for individual or small-group training sessions.
Instructional sessions will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays. If unable to attend a Saturday session, another time may be arranged. However, training on alternative days may decrease the length of a loan period. Patrons are also required to complete pre- and post-use surveys.
Kits are loaned for three-week periods and are not subject to renewal. Complete kits are to be returned to the library circulation desk by Saturday at noon, with overdue kits carrying a fine of $3 per day. Failure to return a complete kit will result in a $200 charge and will render both the hotspot and Chromebook useless.
If interested in borrowing the internet please contact the library to reserve a kit.
For more information on the CNYFi Program or other library services, call 655-9322 or visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org.
