Library staff told trustees Oct. 29 they will pursue two digital‑inclusion opportunities to expand device lending to patrons, including seniors and students.

Director Jennifer Jones summarized a Mobile Beacon lending kit that can include roughly 25 laptops with hotspots and a parallel state grant that offers tablets, desktops or laptops for in‑library use or checkout. The state program listed a minimum award size of 30 devices but allows libraries to partner so smaller libraries can meet the threshold.

Trustees and staff discussed logistics: how many devices the library should request (options discussed ranged from 5–15 devices for Lakeville alone versus the grant minimum of 30), whether devices would be used primarily for career, medical and technology‑learning purposes (the state grant’s stated priorities), training needs for borrowers (partnering with the Council on Aging for senior training was proposed), and replacement or monitoring responsibilities if devices are lost or damaged.

Staff said Mobile Beacon typically provides equipment and that state grants carry post‑award monitoring commitments (a five‑year equipment commitment and at least one year of monitoring for some programs). Trustees encouraged staff to pursue quotes and, where necessary, partner with neighboring libraries such as Wareham to meet minimums. No formal motion was required; staff will proceed with applications and return with recommended device counts and budget details.