Maricopa County libraries to expand Chromebook, hotspot access

PHOENIX — The Maricopa County library system is expanding its Wi-Fi hotspot and Chromebook lending program to all 18 of its locations starting Monday.

More than 250 Chromebooks and hotspots will be available for checkout to residents with an MCLD library card, according to a press release.

Requests for the devices can be submitted online, by phone or in-person at any of the library locations. Devices can be checked out for three weeks.

The program was first launched in 2019 at the Gila Bend library, before expanding to three other Maricopa County Library District locations in October 2020.

New funding for the program’s expansion comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“The success of the initial ‘Connected @ Your Library’ projects has laid the foundation for our libraries to expand the program into more communities,” Jeremy Reeder, MCLD director and county librarian, said in the release. “We are excited to launch this project at a time when our communities need to be connected more than ever before.”

The Aguila, Gila Bend, El Mirage, Fairway and Guadalupe libraries will offer kits with both the Chromebook and Hotspot in one pack.

The kits will only be available to residents with a library account registered at one of those five branches.

Maricopa County libraries feature free public Wi-Fi access outside from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., allowing guests to access the internet from inside their car or outside the library.