Burlington Library Calls For Donations To Support Remote Learning

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — The library foundation in Burlington County is calling on the community to help ensure students have equitable online access to digital learning.

The Burlington County Library System Foundation recently launched a new pilot program aimed at ensuring every student has access to a working laptop.

To help meet that goal, residents are asked to make a tax-deductible donation of working computer equipment to the main library branch off Woodlane Road in Westampton on Jan. 9. Monetary donations are also accepted.

“It goes without saying,” Pat Lindsay-Harvey, president of the foundation, said in a release. “The COVID-19 pandemic has had a horrible impact on everyone’s quality of life. But this is particularly true of those who can’t afford computers, since so much of our everyday activities have gone ‘virtual.’”

Lindsay-Harvey said the foundation is working with two volunteer organizations — Computer Smiles and the South Jersey Apple Users Group — that offer computer experts who will ensure the computers are in working order.

The foundation is working to counter a lack of digital access, something about 7,000 students across the state lack, according to the New Jersey Department of Education. It has also raised or donated funds totaling $6,000 and used a $45,000 grant to purchase Chromebooks and mobile hot spots to loan to library customers.

“This is an opportunity to get everyone on-line,” she said. “It’s just that simple and just that big!”

The library foundation is specifically asking for donations of PCs running Windows 7 or newer, Chromebooks and Apple products including iPads or printers. Tax-deductible financial donations can be made on the foundation's website.