Chromebooks

Southwest Georgia Regional Library System offers Chromebook access to more effectively meet the educational, informational, and recreational needs of Library patrons.  Chromebooks are available to patrons 18 or older with these guidelines.

Chromebooks are similar to laptops with Google’s Chrome operating system. They are most useful when connected to the internet and logged in to a Google account. Patrons access the internet at their own discretion.  Although many valuable sources of information are available via the internet, the Library can neither verify the accuracy nor control the content of material found.  Parents and/or guardians are strongly encouraged to monitor their minor children’s use of electronic resources, including electronic mail, and to establish guidelines consistent with personal and individual family values and boundaries.

Chromebooks may be checked out for two weeks and are unable to be renewed.

To check out a Chromebook:

  1. Click Here or call a participating branch to check availability
  2. Visit the branch.
  3. Read and complete the paperwork required to check out Chromebooks.
  4. Check one out!

To return a Chromebook:

  1. Bring the Chromebook back to the service desk you checked it out from and place it in the hands of a staff member.
  2. Do NOT put Chromebooks in the library book drops.
  3. Do NOT return Chromebooks to another library.
  4. If not returned on the due date, the Chromebook will be deactivated and fee will be added to the patron’s library account.

Chrome­books allow you to browse the inter­net, check email and use online pro­duc­tiv­i­ty soft­ware, like Google’s GSuite or Microsoft 365. When using a library Chrome­book, know that:

  • You do not need to dis­in­fect the Chrome­book as staff are doing this. Dis­in­fect­ing and clean­ing the Chrome­book may dam­age it. 
  • You need to cre­ate and sign in to your per­son­al account to access online pro­duc­tiv­i­ty soft­ware and save your work. 
  • You need to be con­nect­ed to the inter­net and signed in to your account to save any work. You can­not save any­thing to the Chromebook. 
  • You need to nav­i­gate using a touch­pad, which takes the place of a mouse. 
    • To move the point­er, move your fin­ger across the pad. 
    • To click, tap the low­er part of the touchpad. 
    • To right click, tap the touch­pad with two fingers. 
  • For more help, see this page.
  • You can also use key­board short­cuts to quick­ly do cer­tain things. For a list­ing of these, see this page.

To learn more about Chromebooks:

Patrons may use the Chrome­book and access the inter­net at their own dis­cre­tion. Although many valu­able sources of infor­ma­tion are avail­able via the inter­net, the Library can nei­ther ver­i­fy the accu­ra­cy nor con­trol the con­tent of mate­r­i­al found. Fur­ther­more, while using a library Chrome­book, under­stand that:

  • Use of the library chromebook for illegal purposes is expressly forbidden, in accordance with applicable legal statutes.
  • Use of the chromebook to access material that is obscene as defined under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 16-12-80), child pornography as defined under federal or state law (18 U.S.C 2256; O.C.G.A. 16-12-100), and material that is “harmful to minors” as defined under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 16-12-102) is not allowed.
  • Southwest Georgia Regional Library System is not responsible for the loss, damage, interception or misuse of any data/information while using the chromebook.
  • The internet contains images and content that may be offensive or harmful to me or to others.  You release the Southwest Georgia Regional Library System from all liabilities associated with the viewing, use, or exposure to any images and content may encounter while using this device.
  • Understand that if you used the chromebook without a wireless connection, you must use an attached flash drive to save my work.  Understand that all unsaved work will be erased when the chromebook is closed.  It is strongly recommended that you log into and use a personal cloud account (such as Google or Office 365) while using the chromebook so that work is automatically saved.
  • Patrons are allowed to use Chrome apps and extensions available in the Chrome store.  Reconfiguring the chromebook in any other way is prohibited.
  • You must return the chromebook to the circulation desk where it was checked out.  You will not return the chromebook in the bookdrop or to another branch.
  • Chromebooks are not eligible for renewals or hold requests.
  • If you lose or damage the chromebook, you will be responsible for the full replacement cost of the device – up to $250.
  • The late fee will be $10.00 a day.  Understand that service to the chromebook will be deactivated the same day it becomes overdue.

GPLS_LogoBall_Color_primary-colorThis project was assisted through a grant from the Georgia Public Library Service with federal pandemic funding from the State of Georgia Governor’s Office.