The queens borough public library (QPL) will engage children and underserved populations and create opportunities for learning, connection, and enrichment online by providing mobile hotspots for…

The Queens Borough Public Library (QPL) received a $100,282 Project Grant award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the National Leadership Grants program. The grant will support QPL's initiative to provide mobile hotspots and online connectivity for underserved populations in Queens, New York. Specifically, QPL will loan mobile hotspots to borrowers of all ages in neighborhoods with low broadband use and no household internet access. This will expand QPL's Queens Connect program and provide more residents with reliable internet access to search for jobs, attend remote classes, access telehealth services, and connect with family and friends. QPL will partner with community organizations to engage non-library users and offer new services to promote lifelong library support. The library will also raise awareness of low-cost broadband plans through New York's Emergency Broadband Benefit Program. The period of performance is November 1, 2021 through October 31, 2022.

The queens borough public library (QPL) will engage children and underserved populations and create opportunities for learning, connection, and enrichment online by providing mobile hotspots for personal use to borrowers of all ages located in neighborhoods with the lowest broadband use and who currently do not have household internet access. This award will expand the library's queens connect initiative to give more queens residents reliable internet and technology access as they are searching for jobs, attending remote classes, accessing telehealth programs, and connecting with family and friends. QPL will partner with community-based organizations to reach non-library users and implement new services that turn people into lifelong library supporters. The library will also help to raise awareness of low-cost broadband plans available as part of new york state's emergency broadband benefit program.