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Mount Saint Mary’s is helping bridge the digital divide in the community due to a highly competitive $747,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Through the grant’s funding, the University has been able to respond quickly to students’ technology needs and offer 70 new loaner laptops for short-and long-term use.

One of only 93 colleges and universities to receive this grant, the Mount identified the need for more technology resources after a student engagement survey during the COVID-19 pandemic found that 11%of Mount students did not have access to a computer outside of the 300 computers in the campuses’ computer labs. The survey also found that 43%of students reported not having access to reliable internet in their homes.

To remedy this situation, the University is implementing creative ways to support student’s academic and technological needs.

New self-service laptop loaner kiosks have been installed in both campus libraries this fall, offering 48 brand-new laptops that students can check out automatically using their student ID for one to seven days. In addition, 22 laptops were added to the existing long-term laptop loaner program, which allows students to check out for a semester or the entire year.

The Mount also now offers 20 mobile hotspots with internet service for students with limited connectivity at home. The University will add a media and technical support analyst and hire four students to join the student technical support team to provide additional assistance for students using loaner laptops and other library technology.

“We are excited to offer these laptops so our students can more easily participate in classes, complete assignments, and connect with their professors and fellow students,” said Danielle Salomon, MLIS, MBA, director of libraries at Mount Saint Mary’s and project director of the program. “Investing in our technology infrastructure across campuses bridges the digital gap that particularly impacts students from underresourced communities.”

The kiosks are already popular with students. During the program's first month, students checked out almost 200 laptops, accounting for 6,000 hours of usage. 

Jon Gant, PhD, director of the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives, said that implementing the laptop loaner program helps achieve the University’s goal of full digital accessibility. “Mount Saint Mary’s grant from NTIA stands out in the innovative way that its library is expanding access to the internet and computer devices for students. It gives them the tools to go out and serve their communities,” he says.