THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Public Library is trying to help bridge the city’s digital divide through an innovative program that loans out tablets and Internet access to those in need.
Qualified borrowers, who include clients of about 25 different service agencies in Thunder Bay and surrounding areas, can take home a device for up to four weeks at a time.
The program has been operational for nearly three months and Laura Prinselaar, a TBPL community hub librarian, said it’s a great way to provide technology to people who might not otherwise be able to access it – especially with the pandemic limiting options.
“They can use it for whatever sort of digital solution they need,” Prinselaar said. “Maybe that’s job searching, maybe that’s something to do with education and maybe that’s just connecting with some friends on Facebook that they haven’t had a chance to reach out to for a while.”
Prinselaar said the digital divide in Thunder Bay is a significant problem.
“Usually the library is a major player in helping people get across that divide because we offer access to computers that people can use. But since the pandemic, that hasn’t been an option,” she said.
Three of the city’s four public libraries are open for curbside pick-up only at this point, with the fourth, located inside County Fair Plaza, closed because of COVID-19 restrictions.
“We were looking for other ways that we could continue to fill that need.”
In order to borrow a device, a person must be referred to the program by one of several participating agencies, though Prinselaar said just because an agency one is working with isn’t on the list doesn’t necessarily eliminate them from eligibility.
Each user can borrow up to one device and wi-fi hub at a time and there are no renewals.
Prinselaar said the program is funded through a number of government organizations, including the government of Canada’s Emergency Benefit Support Fund, The United Way of Thunder Bay and the Thunder Bay Community Foundation.
Another round of funding will see the library system add 40 new Chromebooks to its collection.
The following is a list of participating community partners. Others wishing to take part may contact Tina Maronese at tmaronese@tbpl.ca or 684-6813.
- Alzheimer’s Society of Thunder Bay
- Anishinabek Employment and Training Services
- Brain Injury Services Northern Ontario
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- Catholic Family Development Centre
- Community Living Thunder Bay
- Crossroads Centre
- Elevate Northwest
- Elizabeth Fry Society NWO
- Hospice Northwest
- Injured Workers Support Group
- John Howard Society
- Kinna Aweya Legal Clinic
- Lakehead Social Planning Council
- Lutheran Community Care Centre (Mobile Integrated Team)
- March of Dimes
- Metis Nation of Thunder Bay
- New Directions Speakers School
- North Superior Workforce Planning Board
- NorWest Community Health Centres
- Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy
- Our Kids Count
- Roots to Harvest
- Shkoday
- Thunder Bay Counselling
- Thunder Bay Literacy Group
- Yes Employment Services
- Youth Inclusion Program (YIP), City of Thunder Bay
