Laptop ConneCT establishes long-term lending of laptops to eligible Connecticut residents through local public libraries. The Laptop ConneCT Program is administered by the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) in partnership with the Connecticut State Library. This program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. By combining device access with library-based support, the program aims to expand digital opportunity and connect more people to education, employment, and essential resources.
Who is eligible to participate in Laptop ConneCT?
You may be eligible to receive a laptop if you:
-Are at least 18 years old
-Have a valid Stratford Library card
-Participate in a qualifying state or federal assistance program including SNAP, Husky/Medicaid, Medicare, CEAP or LIHEAP
-Do not have access to a comparable device at home
An adult may apply for a device on behalf of a minor in their household.
How do I apply?
Applications are available at the Reference Desk.
Interested participants will need to fill out an application and show proof of their eligibility.
Please note: filling out an application does not guarantee that you will receive a laptop. You must provide the required documentation, complete the intake survey, and complete the digital skills class before you are eligible to receive a laptop.
What happens after I submit my application?
If you meet all the requirements and provide the required eligibility documentation, library staff will contact you to schedule the required digital skills training class where you will receive your laptop. Participants will be contacted on a first come, first served basis.
What will the required digital skills training class cover?
At your training class you will learn how to log into your laptop, how to connect to wifi, go over basic skills, and any additional help you may need to begin successfully using your laptop. At the end of the class you will borrow the laptop and bring it home with you. All laptops come with a laptop bag and basic warranty information.
More Laptop ConneCT Questions and Answers
How do I get a library card?
Visit Stratford Library or apply here. Bring a form of identification that shows your Stratford, CT address (such as a driver’s license, lease or utility bill) to the Check-Out Desk.
Is there a cost?
No. There is no cost.
How long is the laptop circulation period?
Laptops can be borrowed for five (5) years. The laptops are property of the program until otherwise noted.
Do the laptops come with a WiFi device or financial assistance for internet service?
No. Laptop ConneCT devices do not include a WiFi device, mobile hotspot, or financial assistance for internet service. Borrowers may use the laptops with any available Wi-Fi network or other internet connection they have access to.
What should I do if a laptop is damaged?
If a laptop is damaged, the borrower should contact the warranty support provider as soon as possible. Each laptop is covered by a five-year warranty that includes unlimited accidental damage protection, hardware support, full battery coverage, and mail-in repair service. Warranty information is included in your laptop case. Participating libraries will not diagnose or repair damaged devices; we can provide the warranty contact information if needed.
Will DEEP share information about individual laptop borrowers with the federal government?
No. DEEP will report on the overall implementation and outcomes of the program, including information about participating libraries and the number of laptops distributed and used, as required by the U.S. Treasury. DEEP will not collect, store, or transmit personally identifiable information about individual borrowers to the federal government. Borrowers may choose to voluntarily share stories or feedback about how the program has impacted them, but any such information may also be reported in an anonymized form.
Can I transfer or give my loaned laptop to someone else?
No. Laptop loans are issued to a specific eligible borrower and may not be transferred, shared, or reassigned to another individual outside of the library’s lending process. If a borrower no longer needs the laptop, it must be returned to the participating library before it can be prepared and loaned to another eligible borrower.
Will I be able to keep my laptop after the program ends?
Possibly. During the federal interest period (anticipated through December 31, 2031), laptops remain program assets. Once the federal interest period ends, participating libraries will determine the final disposition of the devices, and one option is to transfer ownership of laptops to borrowers.
Can I borrow a laptop from a library located in a municipality other than the one where I reside?
No. Laptop ConneCT devices must be borrowed from a participating library located in the municipality where you reside. This may include the principal public library or a branch library in that municipality. Devices may not be borrowed from libraries in other municipalities. Residents of municipalities without a principal public library may be eligible to borrow a Laptop ConneCT device from a participating library in a neighboring municipality. For more information, please contact DEEP.Broadband@ct.gov.
Are the laptops new or refurbished?
All laptops provided at the launch of the Laptop ConneCT Program are new devices. As the program continues, devices will be reused through the library lending program and may be loaned to multiple borrowers over their service life.