Public Device Lending Programs
A library lends not just books but laptops. A school district provides Chromebooks for students to take home. A community organization distributes mobile hotspots to families without internet. Device lending programs extend technology access beyond public spaces and into homes where it is needed.
Types of Device Lending
Library Lending
Many Canadian public libraries lend technology devices alongside traditional materials. Laptops, tablets, e-readers, and mobile hotspots can be borrowed for days or weeks, allowing home use without permanent ownership.
Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver, and many smaller library systems have device lending programs. Availability, loan periods, and eligibility vary.
School Device Programs
School districts increasingly provide devices to students, either permanently assigned or loaned for the school year. The shift to online learning during the pandemic accelerated device distribution, though disparities between districts persist.
Take-home programs allow students to complete homework, access learning resources, and develop digital skills at home. School-only programs provide access during school hours but leave students without home access.
Community Organization Programs
Nonprofits, settlement agencies, and community organizations may distribute devices to clients. These programs often target specific populations—newcomers, people experiencing homelessness, seniors—and may include training and support.
Hotspot Lending
Mobile hotspots—devices that provide Wi-Fi through cellular networks—address connectivity without requiring home internet installation. Libraries and organizations lend hotspots to provide temporary internet access, particularly useful for families in temporary housing or areas without home internet options.
Benefits of Device Lending
Home access: Lending extends access beyond public facility hours. Families can use technology evenings and weekends when libraries are closed.
Privacy: Home use allows private activities—medical consultations, sensitive applications, personal communications—that are difficult in public settings.
Flexibility: Borrowed devices can be used when and where needed, not just when users can travel to access points.
Trial and learning: Lending allows people to try technology before committing to purchase, learn skills at home, and develop comfort with devices.
Challenges and Limitations
Inventory and Demand
Device lending programs often have more demand than supply. Waiting lists, limited loan periods, and competition for popular items restrict access. Programs must balance broad access against ensuring devices are available when needed.
Maintenance and Replacement
Lent devices require maintenance—software updates, repairs, cleaning—and eventually replacement. Programs need ongoing funding for device refresh, not just initial acquisition.
Loss and Damage
Devices may be lost, damaged, or stolen. Programs must balance accountability (fines, replacement costs) against access (not creating barriers for people who cannot afford to risk liability).
Support
Users may need help setting up, using, and troubleshooting borrowed devices. Programs that lend without support may leave users unable to use what they borrowed.
Connectivity
Lending a device without connectivity provides limited benefit. Device lending works best paired with hotspot lending or affordable home internet programs.
Program Models
Free lending: Devices available to any cardholder or community member, like library book borrowing.
Needs-based: Eligibility based on income, situation, or demonstrated need.
Deposit-based: Requiring refundable deposits that may create barriers but reduce loss.
Keep programs: Some programs give rather than lend devices, eliminating return logistics but limiting how many people can be served with available resources.
The Question
If device access is necessary for education, employment, and civic participation, then device lending programs are public infrastructure, not just nice-to-have services. How should device lending be funded and expanded? What policies balance broad access against program sustainability? And how should lending programs integrate with other digital inclusion efforts—connectivity, training, support?