Need a laptop to join a Zoom meeting, apply for college or study for a class? You don’t have to buy one. All 25 branches of the Indianapolis Public Library offer two laptops that you can check out and use while at the branch.
You can reserve a laptop up to seven days ahead of time by visiting a library branch or by calling the library and asking a staff member. You can also book a study room to use the laptop in. Laptops and study rooms are both available for two-hour periods. If a study room isn’t available and you need earbuds, you can buy a pair for $2 at the circulation desk.
These laptops are helpful for privacy during online doctor’s appointments, job interviews or meetings that you cannot use the library’s PCs for.
Each laptop has a 13-inch screen, a built-in webcam and microphone, Bluetooth and software including Google Chrome, Zoom and the Microsoft Office Suite. Before you head into a library to use a laptop, make sure to write down your login information for your email and any accounts you’ll need to access. Each laptop resets after you return it, so send files to yourself or bring a flash drive to save your work.
To be eligible to borrow a laptop, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a library card and a photo ID.
- Read and sign an agreement that explains the policy for acceptable use of the laptops.
- Have a library account that is not expired with a balance of less than $25, no charges for lost or damaged equipment, no account suspensions and no outstanding collections.
This brief is adapted from notes taken by Documenter Caitlin Bartnik attended the Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on July 27. 📝 Read more about what happened.
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Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
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