CINCINNATI--The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County has opened up its first laptop kiosk in Walnut Hills—and so far, it’s a success.
Patrons of the Walnut Hills Branch Library have been taking advantage of the extra computers. According to the library, they’ve been checked out 221 times since late February, with most users spending about 70 minutes with the laptops.
“The general idea is to make it so there are more computers available for folks without having to take up the room for adding additional desktops to the branch,” said Angela Hursh, with the library.
Computer usage at the Walnut Hills branch, located at 2533 Kemper Lane, is some of the highest out of all library locations, Paula Brehm-Heeger, chief strategy and technology officer, said. The laptop dispenser allows for more computers at the location, which doesn't have enough room for anymore desktop computers.
The dispenser holds up to 12 laptops, and most customers with library cards will be able to check them out. Brehm-Heeger said users are pretty excited about the laptops because it allows them to have pretty quick access to a computer.
Cardholders are allowed to borrow one laptop at a time, for up to four hours. They library plans to add more kiosks to other locations.
