Ocean County Library Launches Laptop Lending Program

TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Library’s Brick Branch is now offering an in-house laptop lending program.

“Keeping pace with the rapid technology changes and needs of the community is essential in providing the level of service that our customers have come to expect from the Ocean County Library,” states Dave Evans, Manager of the Ocean County Library’s Technology Department.

This kiosk includes six Dell e5470s and six MacBook Air 13s that are available for daily use anywhere in the branch with your library card. Each computer comes equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities, Microsoft Office, along with other computer-based programs.

“The laptops are charged in the kiosk and ‘wiped’ clean between uses, reversing any changes made and clearing all personally identifiable information from the computer,” Evans explains.

In early March 2017 the library’s Brick Branch began a pilot laptop lending program. During the two-month period Ocean County Library cardholders borrowed the computers more than 200 times.

This kiosk was funded by a generous donation from the Ocean County Library Foundation a 501(c) 3 charitable organization. Foundation Chairwoman Mary Malagiere, Brick Branch Manager Susan Gardiner, and Library Liaison Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari led the ribbon cutting ceremony for the kiosk’s grand opening on May 18, 2017.

"It's so exciting to see the new and innovative ways that the library is using technology," stated Malagiere. "It's amazing what they do for our community."