Google tablets are available for loan at 10 borough library branches, including Broad Channel, Forest Hills, Howard Beach, Jamaica, Rockaway Beach and Rockaway Park. Loans are free with a Queens Library card. Customers may borrow them for a month, with three possible renewals (four months total). First-time borrowers must sign a borrower’s agreement and show photo identification.
Queens Library began lending customers Google tablets on their library cards in November 2013. Through the efforts of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York Department of State, 17,000 tablets were donated by Google to the state Community Action Association, intended to assist Superstorm Sandy-affected areas. The Library received 5,000 of the tablets. Since then, the units were loaned from seven branches to assist the community in storm recovery. They are currently being rolled out to libraries across the borough.
Queens Library is the first library system to lend tablets programmed with a proprietary software interface which has already received three national awards. The interface is icon-driven, so that even users who have not had previous experience with the technology will be able to explore and learn more. The pre-loaded content will be refreshed and updated every time a user walks into a branch or is within Wi-Fi range.
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) said, “I applaud the Queens Library and Google for creating this important partnership, and for continuing to expand it. It’s a terrific program that especially benefits kids, seniors and those without computers. I look forward to the program continuing to expand and succeed for years to come.”
FREE GOOGLE TABLETS MAY BE LEASED FROM THESE BRANCHES:
* 16-26 Cross Bay Blvd., Broad Channel
* 108-19 71st Ave., Forest Hills
* 92-06 156th Ave., Howard Beach
* 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica
* 92-25 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Beach
* 116-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Park
