DigitalLead Technology Packages
Congratulations on being awarded new technology from TechSoup through the Public Library Association's DigitalLead Initiative and the generous support of Microsoft Philanthropies.
The objective of the DigitalLead Initiative is to support your work to improve your community's digital literacy. You have been awarded one of two free technology packages. This page will give you additional information on what is offered in each. In addition, we will supply you with information on other TechSoup resources like our discounted and donated products that TechSoup library members find useful.
If you have any questions regarding your grant approval, please contact the program manager:
Leighann Wood, MSLIS
PLA Program Manager
312-280-5867
lwood@ala.org
Recipients of this free package will receive Internet hotspot devices from TechSoup's donor partner Mobile Beacon. Each device will arrive with 12 months of pre-activated, unlimited Sprint 4G LTE Internet access. Libraries across the country often use hotspots to "loan out the Internet" to patrons. This package also includes up to 5 hours of Help Desk support for any IT issue at your library from TechSoup's service provider partner, BASK for Business. See additional details about this package here.
Recipients of this free package will receive new laptops, desktops, or all-in-one Lenovo computers. Each computer will include a fully licensed copy of Microsoft Windows 10 Professional and a standard one-year limited Lenovo warranty. Your new computers will be delivered directly to your library at the shipping address provided in your grant application.
Each new computer you receive will include unlimited technology support from TechSoup's service provider partner, BASK for Business. Your 12-month subscription is specific to each individual computer, so be sure to use the associated BASK account if you need help troubleshooting the device. See additional details about this package here.
You will receive an order confirmation email from Mobile Beacon between November 4th and 14th and a shipping notification email within 5 to 7 business days from then. Please ensure that your library is prepared to receive delivery of the devices based on the expected shipping date included in this email. All email will be delivered to the email address you provided the PLA with your application.
Upon receiving your devices, we advise fully charging each device before use and carefully reading through the user manual (PDF) for best use practices. The user manual includes simple instructions that your library may find useful, such as how to change the hotspot's Wi-Fi name (SSID) and password.
When a device's Internet service plan is due to expire, you'll receive an email from the Mobile Beacon team within 30 to 45 days of expiration to provide steps on how to reactivate the plan if desired. If you need additional hotspots you can receive up to 11 per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) from TechSoup for a low admin fee. If you're already receiving the allotted 11 devices through this grant, you can return next fiscal year to request up to 11 more. If you need more devices in the meantime, you can purchase them directly from Mobile Beacon at full cost.
You can use your 5 hours of Help Desk support for any IT issue in your library, from general advice on device usage to fixing a problem with a computer or printer. You must use the support within 12 months of when you receive your hotspots package. Any staff member that has your Bask credentials can contact Bask to request technology support.
One of Bask's representatives will contact you within 5 to 10 business days from when you receive your hotspots to help create your account and offer further elaboration on what kind of support is available to your library.
Information regarding the type of support you ultimately receive may be tracked and provided to the PLA as part of their ongoing research efforts to help identify your greatest future needs. If you want to get additional tech support, TechSoup's usual Services offerings are available to your library: https://page.techsoup.org/nonprofit-technology-services.
Please review the terms and conditions applicable through receiving the technology support.
These computers have been selected and built to a configuration that will provide your library with solid usage for many years to come. These computers can accommodate further upgrades to parts such as the RAM if additional performance is required. Please contact your IT service provider for advice on upgrades. Your new computers will be delivered directly to your library at the shipping address provided in your grant application.
If you want to get additional computers, TechSoup has a number of programs that offer discounted pricing on computers to nonprofit organizations and libraries: https://www.techsoup.org/hardware.
Your 12-month Help Desk subscription for each computer is designed to offer both current and proactive support. BASK for Business will fix problems as they occur and also install maintenance tools on each computer, such as antivirus software and secure cloud storage options. They can also configure each computer's Windows updates and security patches so you don't have to. Bask handles problems with hardware, software, networking, and security issues.
A BASK representative will reach out to your library within two business weeks of when you receive your new computers. They will help to establish your account, link it to your computers, and help explain how to make best use of your support. If you want to get additional computers TechSoup has a number of programs that offer discounted pricing on computers to nonprofit organizations and libraries: https://www.techsoup.org/hardware.
Information regarding the type of support you ultimately receive may be tracked and provided to the PLA as part of their ongoing research efforts to help identify your greatest future needs.
Please review the terms and conditions applicable through receiving the technology support.
TechSoup for Libraries is a unique free information resource for anyone interested in library tech. Our library tech blog offers new posts on a range of topics frequently. We also offer free webinars each month that are of particular interest to librarians and library workers. Sign up for our free monthly newsletter, which offers library tech news, tips, and resources from fellow librarians and library tech experts. And don't forget our great Twitter feed.
Find affordable self-paced digital skills trainings for your staff in subjects like tech planning, web design, fundraising, Microsoft products, and social media marketing.
There are many additional discounted and donated products that TechSoup library members find useful. These are not part of the DigitalLead Initiative grant, so you can request any of them using your TechSoup membership whenever you like. For an overview of using TechSoup, see How to Get Product Donations.
Find an array of Microsoft products at an admin fee of 6 percent of retail, including Windows, Office, Windows Server, and many more.
Get inexpensive name-brand commercial-grade remanufactured laptops, desktops, and monitors with solid warranties.
Get new discounted Cisco Meraki security appliances, networking switches, and wireless access point hardware for your library.
GrantStation is a web-based service that helps you find grants. It features profiles on current grantmakers and step-by-step tutorials on how to secure available funding. Watch for our periodic two-day GrantStation promos that offer the service for $99 per year.
How to Download and Install Microsoft Office 2019 Products Requested from TechSoup
A Computer Buying Guide for Nonprofits and Libraries
Training the Public in Internet Use
DigitalLearn: Self-directed Technology Courses for Your Patrons from PLA
Also, watch for emails from PLA and additional postings on the Public Library Association's DigitalLead Initiative page with more tools for your hotspot lending and computer training programs.
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