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Manage Mobility Enables New York Public Library Members to "Check out the Internet"Manage Mobility, a Georgia-based, national provider of mobile logistics and lifecycle management software, has teamed with Sprint (News - Alert) to enable New York Public Library (NYPL) with a Mobile Internet Hotspot Checkout Program. The NYPL is launching the nation's largest mobile Internet lending program, handing out 10,000 free high-speed hotspots to New York residents without high-speed access at home. (http://hotspot.nypl.org/) "Internet access has become a cornerstone of success in modern life, and we're thrilled to support an initiative that helps all New Yorkers access the digital world. This collaboratin blazes a path to a solution that is scalable across the nation to major library systems and universities," said Paul Reese, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Manage Mobility. The solution provides an administrative portal for NY Libraries to track their assets, including the device location. In addition, administrators can access document repositories, system reporting, real-time data usage by device, and place orders for new devices. There is also an end-user interface portal for eligible members to review policies and procedures, and sign the appropriate waivers before receiving their mobile hotspot. The Manage Mobility system, ManagedTel™, tracks the cellular usage of each hotspot and can alert library associates when users exceed certain data-use thresholds. The system also provides an easy process for trouble ticket submission. "It is simply unfathomable that in the digital world in which we live, one-third of New Yorkers do not have access to broadband Internet at home, putting them at a serious disadvantage at school, in applying for jobs, and so much more," said Anthony Marx, president of the New York Public Library. Planning is underway for a much larger program. Major financial support for the library's hotspot program is provided by Google (News - Alert), which contributed $1 million in funding, as well as the Knight News Challenge, Open Society Foundations and The Robin Hood Foundation. Interested library systems or universities can reach out to Mr. Reese by emailing [email protected]. |
