Students at UBC's Okanagan campus have more mobile computers thanks to a $15,000 gift from Interior Savings Credit Union, which funded the purchase of 24 Dell Netbooks.
Interior Savings has donated $15,000 to Library Services at UBC's Okanagan campus to cover the purchase of 24 new Dell Netbook computers, which are available to students through the student Laptop Lending Program.
This is the second time Interior Savings has provided funding for the program. In 2006, the company donated $15,000 to purchase the 10 laptop computers required to launch the Laptop Lending Program. These first laptops have each circulated an average of 816 times since they were made available to students.
"We are very proud to continue supporting this program, which provides all students with access to updated, free, mobile technology," said Barry Meckler, President and CEO of Interior Savings Credit Union. "Interior Savings is committed to investing in the communities we serve, the youth of our region, and the students today who will become our innovative workforce of tomorrow."
The purpose of the laptop program is to promote portability on campus. It allows students to access electronic resources, including research databases and course materials, anywhere on campus.
Karen Hill, Manager of Circulation Services at UBC's Okanagan campus, noted that within one month the new Dell Netbook computers were circulated almost 20 times each.
"Netbooks allow students to work in all areas of the library as well as anywhere on campus and at home," says Hill. "As the library is open seven days a week, students have access to netbooks throughout the year.
"High-quality programming goes into each one, ensuring that students will have access to the majority of the applications used in the Learning Commons workstations."
The Interior Savings $15,000 donation increases the number of library computers available for UBC student use from 130 (which includes the first set of donated laptops) to 154 computer workstations.
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