How do I get a library card?

Visit the library with your valid ID or driver’s license and proof of New London address.

Is there a cost?

No. There is no cost.

How long is the laptop circulation period?

Laptops will check out for five (5) years.  The laptops are property of the program until otherwise noted.

Do the laptops come with a MiFi device or financial assistance for internet service?

No. Laptop ConneCT devices do not include a MiFi device, mobile hotspot, or financial assistance for internet service. Borrowers may use the laptops with any available Wi-Fi network or other internet connection they have access to.

Can I install software on the laptop?

Yes. Borrowers may install software or applications on the laptop during their loan period, provided they are legally obtained and used in accordance with applicable laws and the participating library’s policies. Before the laptop is issued to another borrower, the participating library will reset the device and remove any installed software, files, and personal information. Borrowers should not expect any data or applications to remain on the laptop after it is returned.

Will I need a Microsoft account to use the laptop?

Yes. A Microsoft account is required when you first sign in to the laptop. If you already have a Microsoft account, you may use it. If you do not have one, participating library staff can assist you with creating a free Microsoft account during the required startup 3 session. A Microsoft account lets you sign in to your laptop and use familiar Microsoft services and applications, such as Outlook email, OneDrive cloud storage, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the Microsoft Store, where you can download additional apps.

What should I do if a laptop is damaged?

If a laptop is damaged, the borrower should contact the warranty support provider as soon as possible. Each laptop is covered by a five-year warranty that includes unlimited accidental damage protection, hardware support, full battery coverage, and mail-in repair service. Participating libraries are not expected to diagnose or repair damaged devices, though they may assist borrowers with warranty contact information if needed.

Will DEEP share information about individual laptop borrowers with the federal government?

No. DEEP will report on the overall implementation and outcomes of the program, including information about participating libraries and the number of laptops distributed and used, as required by the U.S. Treasury. DEEP will not collect, store, or transmit personally identifiable information about individual borrowers to the federal government. Borrowers may choose to voluntarily share stories or feedback about how the program has impacted them, but any such information may also be reported in an anonymized form.

What should I do before returning my laptop?

Before returning your laptop, you should save any personal files to another device or cloud storage service, sign out of your accounts, and remove any personal information you wish to keep. While the participating library will reset the laptop before it is loaned to another borrower, taking these steps helps ensure you do not lose important files or leave personal information behind. Please also return the laptop along with any accessories that were provided with it, such as the carrying case, charger, or mouse.

How will my data be removed from laptops before they are loaned to another user?

Personal information will not remain on the laptop after it is returned for reissue. Before a laptop is loaned to another borrower, the participating library will reset the device and remove any data left on it, helping protect borrower privacy.

Can I transfer or give my loaned laptop to someone else?

No. Laptop loans are issued to a specific eligible borrower and may not be transferred, shared, or reassigned to another individual outside of the library’s lending process. If a borrower no longer needs the laptop, it must be returned to the participating library before it can be prepared and loaned to another eligible borrower.

Will I be able to keep my laptop after the program ends?

Possibly. During the federal interest period (anticipated through December 31, 2031), laptops remain program assets. Once the federal interest period ends, participating libraries will determine the final disposition of the devices, and one option is to transfer ownership of laptops to borrowers.

Can I borrow a laptop from a library located in a municipality other than the one where I reside?

No. Laptop ConneCT devices must be borrowed from a participating library located in the municipality where you reside. This may include the principal public library or a branch library in that municipality. Devices may not be borrowed from libraries in other municipalities. Residents of municipalities without a principal public library may be eligible to borrow a Laptop ConneCT device from a participating library in a neighboring municipality. For more information, please contact DEEP.Broadband@ct.gov.

Are the laptops new or refurbished?

All laptops provided at the launch of the Laptop ConneCT Program are new devices. As the program continues, devices will be reused through the library lending program and may be loaned to multiple borrowers over their service life.