ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Senior residents can now apply to rent a tablet device designed for older adults with little to no technology experience as St. Louis County and Library launched the expansion of the “GrandPad” program.

What You Need To Know

  • Senior residents can apply online to rent a “GrandPad” tablet device for one year on the St. Louis County Library’s website. They must be 75 years of age or older, live in St. Louis County, and have a valid library card in good standing. 

  • Applications are due July 13 and are only being accepted online. Other eligibility requirements include income, amount of isolation and access to internet and devices, food and housing insecurities, unemployment, and more.

  • Earlier this year, Page said the County Council approved his request to expand the program and allocated $2 million in ARPA funds to provide more table devices to 1,500 additional seniors, as well as keep the service going for those who have been using them within the past year.

The announcement was made Wednesday morning at the Lewis and Clark Library Branch by St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page and St. Louis County Library Director and CEO Kristen Sorth.

In partnership with the Library, the County allocated $1 million in ARPA funds toward the Digital Equity Initiative last March that provided “GrandPads” or tablet devices to 1,500 senior residents aged 75 and older who were impacted by isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and had little to no access to the internet, according to Page.  

“COVID brought with it another challenge, especially for our older residents, and that’s isolation. The combined impact of social isolation and limited access to technology was taking a toll on our seniors,” he said.

“Access to important information about COVID-19 and healthcare was not readily available. And video chats and emails to keep in touch with family members are not possible without access to technology.”

Earlier this year, Page said the County Council approved his request to expand the program and allocated $2 million in ARPA funds to provide more table devices to 1,500 additional seniors, as well as keep the service going for those who have been using them within the past year.

“The program proved to be wildly popular with older adults and their family members,” he said.

Senior residents can apply online to rent a “GrandPad” tablet device for one year on the St. Louis County Library’s website. They must be 75 years of age or older, live in St. Louis County, and have a valid library card in good standing, according to Sorth.

She said family members of seniors can apply on their behalf or can receive help in applying in-person at a library branch location. If they do not have a library card, they also can register for one either online or in-person to be eligible for the program.

Applications are due July 13 and are only being accepted online. Other eligibility requirements include income, amount of isolation and access to internet and devices, food and housing insecurities, unemployment, and more.

Sorth said 25,000 seniors in St. Louis County are without a computer at home and nearly 35,000 seniors are without a computer and internet.

“The rate of technology adoption among seniors is much lower than the general population. Costs associated with broadband access and the cost of obtaining a device are the first hurdles,” she said.

“Perhaps even more daunting is the need to learn how to use technology.”

The GrandPad tablet is a device designed for those with little or no technology experience, Page said. It has a free and secure access to the internet, built-in speakers that are loud enough for those who may be hearing impaired, colorful icons for easy navigation, a help button for 24/7 technology support, easy access to games, news, internet radio and St. Louis County Library, in addition to an automatically set up email account ready to use, and it comes with a hands-free charging cradle.

“Continuing to provide connections to family, information, and entertainment is critical to the mental health of our older population,” Page said.

The impact of the program “has been remarkable,” Sorth said. “The library has received many touching testimonials from users.”

Sorth thanked the County and the St. Louis County Older Adults Commission who have advocated for the technology needs among isolated and lower income adults in the community.

The Digital Equity Initiative not only has brought technology to seniors, but also to St. Louis County students to those who needed access to resources as schools moved to online classes during the pandemic.

The County allocated $4 million in ARPA funds to help students continue their education virtually.

Through the initiative, the Library was able to distribute 10,000 WIFI hotspots and 6,100 Chromebooks to schools and school districts in the County, as well as provide virtual tutoring and in-person tutoring for students with special needs, according to Sorth.

For more information about the "GrandPad" program, click here.