Yesterday, the Board of Supervisors made a major step in closing the digital divide and making sure households have tools for success. We applied for a grant that will fund 7,400 laptops and mobile internet hotspots for households that lack computers and internet access. The grant also includes a one-year data access plan for the mobile hotspot services to be covered. Once the year-long access plan ends, the E-Rate funding program, which funds 85% to 90% of County Library internet service costs, will fund continued costs for internet access along with the Library Fund operational budget. The County Library will make these devices available for a one-year loan, which includes one laptop and hotspot per household, to mitigate the digital divide.
If approved, the County Library would work with nonprofit partners, other County departments, and local schools to ensure that laptops and internet hot spots go to households that are most in need of this equipment.
I will keep you updated if the grant is accepted by the Federal Government.
