Palo Alto -- Beginning April 11th, the Palo Alto City Library will loan laptop computers to customers for use in the Main and Mitchell Park libraries.

This service is a pilot program made possible in part by a Cable Co-op Grant under the Friends of the Palo Alto Library "9 Libraries" Project. The grant funded the purchase of seven laptops for each of the two libraries.

"Space limitations in library facilities make it difficult to provide sufficient wired Internet computers to meet demand", said Library Director Paula Simpson. "By loaning laptops for in-house use, we hope to increase access to the Internet and the Library's broad range of commercial databases, particularly for those who can't afford computers."

The laptops are equipped with Microsoft Office 2003 software and are configured for Internet access via the existing wireless networks at the libraries. Customers ten years and older will be able to use their library cards to borrow a laptop for up to two hours per day.

For additional information, visit the Library website at http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/library/ or contact Lynn Symonds at the Main Library at 329-2664 or email mailto:libraryreference@cityofpaloalto.org, or Lois Carroll at the Mitchell Park Library at 329-2586.

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