PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) is launching Tech To-Go, a new Chromebook computer and Mifi hotspot lending service to support school students. 

“The past year highlighted the importance of access – not only to traditional library services, but also to supporting our day-to-day technology needs,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Providing Chromebooks and hotspots are essential to ensuring no one in our community is left behind.”

Tech To-Go devices are equipped with automatic web filters, including Google SafeSearch for all Chromebook sessions, as well as high-school level filters on the Mifi hotspots. The Mifi filters are geared toward students, but the devices can be used by non-students for job searching, career development, research projects, skill building and more.

Beginning April 15, full-access library cardholders 18 years and older can schedule requests for devices online or by calling the library directly. Staff assistance is available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Reservations must be made at least one day in advance. Devices may be loaned for two weeks at a time. Parents or guardians must use their library card to borrow the devices for youth who are younger than 18 years old. Device pick-up begins April 20.

The new Tech To-Go service is available at all LBPL To-Go locations:

• Billie Jean King Main Library, 562.570.7500
• Bay Shore, 562.570.1039 
• El Dorado, 562.570.3136
• Bret Harte, 562.570.1044
• Los Altos, 562.570.1045
• Mark Twain, 562.570.1046
• Michelle Obama Libraries, 562.570.1047

“We are excited to launch Tech To-Go at such a critical time,” said Library Services Director Glenda Williams. “We plan to grow this service in the future to reach more community members and offer more connectivity options.” 

Funding for this round of student-targeted devices comes from a community benefit partnership with Verizon to expand wireless connectivity in Long Beach. LBPL is investigating funding opportunities to increase the inventory of devices.

Long Beach Public Library provides access to books, media and other services via its website. To register for a library card, click here. 

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services and more. The City also has a highly-respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, five golf courses, 171 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths, and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit http://longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Long Beach Public Library
Long Beach Public Library, founded in 1896, serves a diverse urban city of close to half a million people. The Long Beach Public Library system includes the Billie Jean King Main Library and eleven neighborhood libraries and a vibrant online presence. In summer of 2017, the Long Beach Public Library was awarded the National Medal for Library and Museum Services in recognition of successful community-collaborations, innovative STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and literacy-focused programs to the residents of Long Beach. With an emphasis on providing free and equal access to information and support for learning for a lifetime, the Library offers books, media, databases, Internet access, Family Learning Centers, makerspaces, and a variety of events ranging from story times to educational and cultural programs.

For more information, visit http://www.longbeach.gov/library, “Like” the Long Beach Public Library on Facebook, and follow along on Twitter and Instagram.