Stark County is home to several private and state university campuses. Students attending these schools often balance work, family, and transportation responsibilities, resulting in fewer funds available to purchase Internet connectivity and equipment. In addition to our student population, Stark Library serves other communities where barriers such as reduced broadband coverage and lower income levels create a similar digital inequity. We saw an opportunity to bridge this digital divide.

• Library staff partnered with Kent State University at Stark and Stark State leaders in January of 2022 to offer Internet2Go kits to students
• Library staff attended on-campus events to register students for library cards and check out kits
• The Library circulated kits from 5 high-need library locations
• Kits check out for an extended loan period, allowing users the time and tools necessary to pursue job opportunities, online learning, wellness, and other pursuits critical to successful and healthy lives

• Kits have been circulating steadily for 13 months
• Kits have checked out 165+ times to students and 335+ times to public patrons
• Partnerships were created with area colleges
• 75 college students became new public library cardholders
• Plans are underway to expand the Internet2Go program in 2023
• Feedback from an international student’s school: “Thank you again for your help in getting Akyaa a new computer system. We really appreciate it. It is a very nice program that you have in place for those who need it.”