LA County libraries launch “Connect & Go” Wi-Fi program

Across the Los Angeles County Library system, there will now be a program called “Connect & Go” where library attendees will be able to borrow Wi-Fi hotspots to get connected with their community and more. The program plans to serve all L.A. County library locations. Funded by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), it will provide 1,300 hotspots that users can borrow for six weeks.

The L.A. County Library director Skye Patrick discussed the importance of these programs in L.A. County libraries, especially in communities of need. “We want to work to bridge the digital divide, as public libraries always have for over the last 30 to 40 years, since the inception of public Wi-Fi. We want to help people connect with their family, with their friends,” Patrick said.

Los Angeles County recognized how being connected allowed for many opportunities of growth for customers. “Our customers told us that they needed access. They needed the hotspot. So many people had their own technology, they have their own laptop, they have their own iPad or tablet, but they didn't necessarily have access to Wi-Fi. So with the American Rescue Plan act and working with our partners at ISD [Internal Services Department], we’re able to provide this service." 

Patrick broke down the three projects that launched on March 1st for the “Connect & Go” program. 

The biggest highlight is the "Laptop and Hotspot Loans" program, where users can borrow Chromebooks enabled with LTE or hotspots for six weeks, subject to availability. "Park & Connect" allows users with a Wi-Fi enabled device to connect to the Libraries’ Wi-Fi network inside and outside of LA County Library locations within 25 feet, including parking lots. A library card is not required to utilize this service. The final program is "Work Ready," which hosts weekly virtual events on job skills and career exploration. 

Prior to this, in 2020, with the CARES Act, library patrons would need to receive a Chromebook and hotspot; it was not allowed to receive one or the other until now. With the laptop and hot spot loans, users can now check out either a Chromebook with LTE or hotspot which caters to the needs of library patrons. 

“We developed this program in partnership with DEO, and it's an invaluable service. And of course, like all of the county library services, it is free. So with this program, we provide you with a laptop and a hotspot, and it's at 27 of our 86 library locations in the communities of most need. With this program, you have access to virtual programming via Zoom, and we provide you with essential information about things like breaking into new professions or learning how to write a resume or tips to write a better resume, to wield new opportunities for people who need them. So today, we've lent over 1,200 work-ready laptop kits, and that means over 1,200 people. We've been able to help acquire new skill sets, discover new things about themselves, and figure out how to better market themselves for the job,” Patrick said.

During the pandemic, one of the biggest necessities was Wi-Fi, for many things like work and school. Citizens would park at their local libraries to utilize the Wi-Fi.  “What we've done is we've extended Wi-Fi out past our parking lots to utilize our campuses when libraries are closed. So for most of our libraries, we have access to the Internet 24 hours, seven days a week,” Patrick said regarding the updated program for “Park and Connect.”

ISD Director Selwyn Hollins, has a deep connection with the expansion and ever-growing “Connect & Go” program. 

Delete the Divide is a program that was put in place by LA County libraries to give back to underserved communities, and it is at the core of these programs with the digital assistants. “We worked out this great collaborative partnership where the digital assistants are at 43 libraries located within or in close proximity to these digital divided areas. The digital assistants are paid county interns. They are hired from these communities so they know the communities and they are all over the county. So we're really excited about that.” Hollins said in regards to the collaboration of Delete the Divide with LA County libraries.

Hollins emphasized the importance of these programs and that they’re free for anyone in  the community to use. “The service is absolutely free, so we encourage you to come into your library and let the interns help you with whatever you need. Whether it's a computer, you want to know how to buy a computer. What should you consider when buying a computer? In many of the communities that we serve, people don't have a computer shop. So if you need a computer or if you need help with a computer, we need to understand how to use it. Where do you go? But you have a library that's in your community open for you to come in. And so that's what digital assistance provides,” Hollins said.

These programs prove how important libraries are and every community needs them. Many people in underserved communities are people of color and are often taken advantage of when it comes to technology. For example, East L.A. has a huge older Latino population where assistance for technology is needed. There are many people who don’t know how to use their devices but are unaware that the library can be of help to them.

This makes resources more accessible and teaches people to protect themselves online since it is easy for many who are unaware to accidentally download things that can cause viruses and damage their device.  

Hollins was also excited to talk about a new project that he hopes to launch soon that provides high speed Wi-Fi at a low cost for five years starting with covering the areas of East L.A., Boyle Heights and South L.A., then soon branching out to SouthEast LA.

“We're trying to help people get access. They need to go to school, apply for jobs, they need to do telehealth, they need to go to counseling sessions. The libraries are only open so long. People need to be able to do it in a company like the other day, it was raining really hard. Why should people have to go through the rain to get access to it? We made a real committee effort to do it in a big way. So it's not a few homes, it's a lot. So in the area that we're talking about, east LA and south east LA, Boyle Heights and South LA, the coverage area covers over quarter million. So over 250,000 will have this option,” Hollins said.

Delete the Divide is the important key to be the bridge to make Wi-Fi more accessible, as they hire people from underserved communities to give back to their community, while simultaneously earning IT Certificate training. 

Patrons can take advantage of the “Connect & Go” Wi-Fi program today at their local Los Angeles County Library.