ETSU’s Lending Technology and Personal Librarian Program is in full-swing.
“For some students that we have checked out devices to, this is make-or-break,” said Jonathan Wilson, Sherrod Library distance/online education librarian and coordinator. “They would have dropped out of college if they didn’t have this resource available to them.”
During the spring 2020 semester, the sudden shift to online-only classes caused by COVID-19 created an unforeseen barrier for students who did not have access to personal computers or reliable internet. ETSU’s Sherrod Library, Information Technology Services and Student Life and Enrollment teamed up to put available technology in the hands of students in need.
“They were using their cell phones to do their work or using a cell phone as a hotspot,” said Jeri Paddock, the Circulation Manager of the Lending Program. “As we all know that eats up your data so fast. Or they’d go and park outside a restaurant at midnight to get the Wi-Fi there.”
By fall 2020, the initiative had expanded to include the ETSU Medical Library. Using a portion of the university’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funding, ITS purchased 200 laptops and 200 Wi-Fi hotspots to lend to students for access to online learning.
“We’ve got another 57 available hotspots,” said Paddock. “And laptops, I’ve got 86. I just did this count this morning.”
Those numbers were current as of March 4.
Alongside the Lending Program, Wilson acts as a Personal Librarian for students who are adjusting to online-only education.
“Some students need help troubleshooting with their device, or just somebody to talk,” said Wilson. “My main goal is to make sure all these students have what they need to succeed. If it’s just being a liaison to a service that the university provides, or if it’s helping them find a scholarly article for their research paper, that’s what I’m here for. And sometimes it’s just a listening ear. They just need a little bit of direction or to know somebody’s there for them.”
Students must apply for the program via Sherrod Library’s website and meet criteria established by the ETSU Dean of Students Office.
“Yesterday morning I filled one at 9 a.m. that the student had only made the request at 7 a.m.,” said Paddock. “It’s a very quick process.”
The program fills a gap that existed before the pandemic, but its breadth moving forward has yet to be determined.
“This is something we’d like to keep in the future for students who can’t afford services like this,” said Wilson.
To find more information and applications to the program, visit https://libraries.etsu.edu/use/computers/lendingtech/home.
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