Council on Aging wins Mass Broadband grant to create device lending program

The Needham Council on Aging reported it has received a Mass Broadband grant to buy 20 Dell laptops and 10 Dell tablets to support a lending library for seniors who lack home Internet or devices. Jess, who oversees social services and volunteer programs, said the loaner devices will arrive with a charging cart and will be kept on the first floor to give patrons flexible access to remote programs and Zoom events.

"We're getting 20 Dell laptops and 10 Dell tablets," Jess said, adding the initiative aims to help members who cannot participate from home because they lack internet access or a device. The program will pilot lending some devices for use outside the building and keep others on-site for drop-in use.

Staff said the grant's reporting requirements are modest and that the Council will collect basic usage information to inform future programming. The Council intends to partner with the Needham Community Council for tutoring and distribution; Jess referenced a prior tablet distribution that the Community Council later managed and said that partnership model will continue for training and outreach.

The device lending effort is designed to complement—rather than replace—existing computer resources at the senior center. Officials said the program will also enable patrons to join remote programs from the building when they lack home connectivity.

The Council did not set an exact rollout date at the meeting but said the devices should arrive in January and that staff will evaluate lending rules and inventory as the pilot proceeds.