Libraries Take Home Technology

Cobb County Public Library is committed to bridging the digital divide and providing digital access to residents across the county, whether inside the library or at home.

 

Chromebooks

 

Hotspots

 

Public Wi-Fi

 

Wireless Printing

Chromebooks -- At Home

Don’t have a laptop or tablet at home? You can check out a Chromebook to get connected to the internet to accomplish most of your work and personal needs.

  • Devices are designed primarily for web browsing or to use with the Google Workspace suite of applications such as Google Docs or Google Sheets. If you do not already have a Google account, you will need to create one.
  • Each device is equipped with built-in cellular Wi-Fi service from T-Mobile, but you can choose to connect to a different Wi-Fi network.
  • Devices can be checked out for 3 weeks and cannot be renewed.
  • Only adults age 17 or older may check out a device.
  • Patrons must complete a User Agreement in person at any branch prior to the first checkout.
  • A photo id is required for each subsequent checkout.
  • Patrons may have only one Chromebook checked out at a time on a card.
  • Devices will be deactivated once they are overdue.
  • Devices must be returned inside a library and presented to a staff member.
  • Devices were funded by FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program.

Chromebooks -- In-Library

We now offer Chromebooks for checkout and use in-library. Great for if the computer area is too loud or there are no desktop computers available for use.

  • Only adults age 17 or older may check out a device.
  • A photo ID is required to check out a device.
  • Devices can be checked out for 2 hours and can be renewed if no one is waiting.
  • Devices must remain in the library.

Hotspots

You can check out the internet! Hotspots enable you to connect your devices over cellular Wi-Fi to the internet.

  • Hotspots check out for 7 days. They are not able to be renewed.
  • Residents in Cobb County who are authorized to access the internet with their library cards can check out hotspots.
  • Overdue fines are $1/day. Hotspots are not able to be renewed.
  • Connect up to 10 devices at a time.
  • Up to 12mbps of download speed.
  • 6 hours of battery life before recharge.
  • 1 hotspot per household at a time.
  • Devices will be deactivated once they are overdue.

Public Wi-Fi

The Cobb County Public Library wireless internet network provides free internet access to patrons who bring their wireless-enabled laptop or smart device to any of our 15 libraries.

  • Our public Wi-Fi network is called COBBLIBRARY.
  • It is an open network with no password.

There are a few limitations:

  • Sound – Anything on your computer or device that makes a sound must be turned off or muted with headphones, etc.
  • Bandwidth – In order to provide access for the maximum number of users, there is a limit to the bandwidth available to each user. This should not interfere with most computer or device usage.

Wireless Printing

Print from any of our public computers or wirelessly from your device! Black and white prints are $0.15 per page. Color printing is $0.50 per page.

Print from a Laptop (from home or in the library)

  • Save the file you want to print to your computer.
  • Go to our SmartALEC online printing service webpage and log in with your library card number and PIN.
  • After you log in to the printing service webpage, upload the file you want to print: click [1] Select a file to upload, choose your file, then click [2] Upload.
  • Visit any of our libraries and use the print release station to complete printing.

Print from a Mobile Device

If you are printing with SmartALEC for the first time, you'll need to enter your library card number and PIN on the SmartALEC online printing service webpage before using the app.

Support

Who is eligible to check out Chromebooks or hotspots?
  • Chromebooks can be checked out by any library cardholders age 17 and over. **Please note: only one Chromebook or AWE Tablet may be checked out at one time.
  • Hotspots are restricted to library cards that are internet enabled and are resident library cards. Non-resident Cobb library cardholders are not eligible to check out a hotspot. Educator cards and school PASS accounts also are not eligible to check out hotspots
Can I place a Chromebook or a hotspot on hold?
  • Yes, both Chromebooks and hotspots can be placed on hold.
What happens if I turn in a Chromebook or hotspot late?
  • Another person will be unable to check it out and get on the internet.
  • Chromebooks more than 3 days overdue and hotspots more than 5 days overdue may be deactivated by T-Mobile. You also will be charged $1 per day. Hotspots more than 2 weeks overdue will result in a suspension of hotspot circulation privileges.
What happens if I lose a Chromebook or hotspot?
  • The replacement fee for an entire Chromebook kit (Chromebook, charger, keyboard, and carrying case) is $400. Lost or damaged components also can be charged separately.
  • The replacement fee for a hotspot is $80 plus a $10 non-refundable processing fee.
Do I need a Google account to use a Chromebook?
  • You do not need a Google account to access the internet. You do need one if you want to use Google’s Workspace applications such as Google Docs or Google Sheets.
Can I use Microsoft Office on a Chromebook?
  • You can use cloud-based Microsoft® Office apps such as Word, Excel®, and PowerPoint®, but a Microsoft 365 subscription is required for additional functionality.
Is the hotspot password case sensitive?
  • Yes, you must enter in the password as it is displayed on the device.  Upper and lower case matters.
Is there filtering on the hotspot?
  • Yes, filtering is provided via Web Guard.
What if my question isn’t answered here?
  • Please call our Customer Service team at (770) 528-2326.