Queens Library Will Begin Lending Google Nexus 7 Tablets To Cardholders Later This Month; 5,000 Tablets Set To Circulate

This is one large donation of technology. 5000 tablets to Queens Library. Part of 17,000 tablets Google is donating to New York State Community Action Association.
From the Queens (NY) Library:

Queens Library will begin lending library customers Google tablets on their library cards beginning November 20. The tablets are part of a donation of 17,000 tablets intended to assist Sandy-affected areas by Google to the New York State Community Action Association…. Queens Library was the recipient of 5,000 donated units.
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The tablets will be loaned from seven Queens Library locations: in Howard Beach, Broad Channel, Arverne, Far Rockaway, Queens Library for Teens in Far Rockaway, Rockaway Beach and Rockaway Park. Customers may borrow them for a month with the option of three renewals for a total of four months.
Queens Library is lending the tablets programmed with a proprietary software interface. It is the first library to do so. The interface is icon-driven. Even users who have not had previous experience with this technology will be encouraged to explore and learn more. The tablets are pre-loaded with curated content so there is plenty of information available whether the customer is online or not.
Preloaded content stresses educational information, health resources, resources for job readiness and searching, resources for computer skills training, resources for literacy and learning, resources for citizenship and immigration, original feature content, age-appropriate book lists and information about library programs and locations. The tablets can access e-books and e-magazines for reading offline. The content will be refreshed and updated every time a user comes into a Queens Library or is within wifi range. Customers who have access to wireless internet at the library or in other locations will have the full internet experience, as well.
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“Google is excited by the Queens Library innovative use of technology to engage their community and patrons,” said William Floyd, Head of External Affairs for Google. “With this tablet donation, we hope that the residents of this borough will have access to the information and resources they need to strengthen their communities.”
“Public libraries are all about lifelong learning. The tablets provided by Google, coupled with innovative work by Queens Library, puts information and educational resources into the hands of Queens residents. It is a first step toward our strategic goal of bridging the information divide through digital resources, coupled with educational partners. We expect to advance adult learning, language learning, student resources, and more

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