Nearly 100 People Received a Free Computer at Niles-Maine District Library Event

Nearly 100 people received a free computer at the Niles-Maine District Library (or will get one shipped to their home) on Monday, September 26, 2022 thanks to a partnership with PCs for People.

The Digital Services Department at the Niles-Maine District Library organized the highly anticipated event to help bridge the digital divide in the community. Residents who receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension Benefit Program, or have a household income that is less than 135% of federal poverty guidelines were eligible to receive a free computer. Illinois residents needed to sign up on the PCs for People website to verify eligibility. Each registered resident received a Windows computer, keyboard, monitor, mouse, power and connecting cables, headphones, and a webcam.

"We received a staggering amount of phone calls and questions about signing up while leading up to the event," said Todd Miller, Digital Services Assistant. "That interest is really representative of the digital divide in our community and the need for reliable technology in peoples' homes."

PCs for People is a national nonprofit social enterprise working to get low-cost quality computers and Internet into the homes of individuals, families, and nonprofits with low income. By recycling and then refurbishing computers, PCs for People provides a valuable service to businesses, families, and the planet by keeping computers out of landfills and repurposing them to advance digital inclusion.

Niles-Maine District Library is located at 6960 W. Oakton St, the northeast corner of the Oakton and Waukegan intersection. Library hours are Monday-Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.