Laptop & Hotspot Loans
Borrow a Chromebook and Wi-Fi hotspot to access the internet.
Whether you are looking to apply for a job, access school resources, or simply a way to stay chat with friends and family, our laptop loans are here to help get you connected. We offer laptops for use inside our library and for customers to borrow and take home.
Please note: All laptops and hotspots require a full access Adult card to check out. Call your nearest library location for details about signing up or upgrading your digital card.
Chromebook
You can checkout a Chromebook and wireless hot spot to access the internet inside a handy carrying case from all library locations.
- Borrow the laptop and hotspot for 6 weeks, with the option to renew, if available.
- Call your local library to check availability.
- Do not return Laptop & Hotspot Kits in the bookdrop. Please call the library to arrange a return.
Chromebook LTE
Borrow a Chromebook with built-in LTE, which allows you to get connected anywhere, anytime, without having to search for Wi-Fi.
- Borrow the Chromebook LTE for 6 weeks, with the option to renew, if available.
- Call your local library to check availability.
- Do not return Chromebook LTEs in the bookdrop. Please call the library to arrange a return.
Laptop Express
Borrow a laptop for use inside the library for up to 2 hours. The laptop will connect to the Library’s Wi-Fi. Call your your nearest LA County Library location for availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Laptop & Hotspot Loan FAQs
Adults with a standard adult library card in good standing will be able to check out a Chromebook kit at a participating library.
Requests for Chromebook kits can be made using our online catalog or over the phone, like any of our other materials. At this time requests are site-specific and can only be placed at libraries offering the service (listed above). Call a library offering the service to arrange a same-day checkout, if kits are available.
Call the owning library and arrange to pick up your kit during Sidewalk Service hours.
The kits can be borrowed for 6 weeks. If no other customers are on the waiting list, the checkout can be renewed up to 3 times. The renewal needs to be made before your checkout period ends.
Chromebooks must be returned in person to the owning library during Sidewalk Service hours. They cannot be returned in the bookdrop. They cannot be returned to any library other than the one where the kit was checked out. Please call the owning library to arrange a drop-off time and call again once at the library to alert staff. Staff will bring out a box labeled Laptop Return to the Sidewalk Service table. You’ll be instructed to remove all items – the Chromebook, the wireless hotspot, and both charging cables – from the carrying case. Put the case into the box first, on the bottom, and then put all other items in on top. Staff will check the box to make sure all items are inside and that they look fine. All items will be quarantined for 4 days and confirmed to be working properly before being checked in. Staff will contact you if there are any questions or concerns. Please remember that the loan will still show on your account until the quarantine and check-in process is complete.
While fees for overdue materials were eliminated as of August 10, 2021, the Library encourages customers to return Chromebooks by their due dates. The Chromebook will become disabled once the loan period has ended.
Yes, fees will depend on the type of damage.
All documents are deleted once the Chromebook is shut down. This will happen even during your 3-week checkout period, so we advise you to back up your documents on a flash drive or in Google Docs if you are working on something you want to keep.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- DocuSign
- Google Calendar
- Google Drive/Docs
- Skype
- WordPress
- Internet
A wireless hotspot device is included when you check out the Chromebook. This will give you access to the internet.
Yes, you can use our Wi-Fi printing service on the borrowed Chromebook and send your documents wirelessly to any library that offers Sidewalk Service. Or, send a document to a library that is open for inside service and print your document inside through self-service printing. Customers receive 10 free pages per day of open library service.
A basic instruction sheet will be provided explaining how to turn on and connect the equipment. If you have further questions, please call your local library.
Library staff is able to provide basic help with your computer—like how to turn it on, connect the wireless hotspot, or how to locate programs. For help, please call your local library.
