Old laptops and PCs can now be handed in to more than a dozen High Life Highland libraries in a bid to give more children access to technology
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High Life Highland (HLH) libraries are accepting donations having teamed up with Wick-based Budding Engineers to create the scheme.
The company hopes to give young people access to digital technology and encourage interest in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) subjects.
HLH senior network librarian June Robertson said: “This is a great project to be involved in and we have agreed for 14 of our libraries to be drop off points for anyone willing to donate their old laptops or PCs to Budding Engineers so that they can wipe them, refurbish them and then donate them to families in our communities.”
Libraries accepting donations include Culloden, Inverness, Fortrose, Glen Urquhart and Nairn as well as Dingwall, Invergordon, Ullapool, Dornoch, Brora, Grantown, Thurso, Fort William, Portree and Ardnamurchan,
Through Budding Engineers, set up by Dave and Liz Kerr from Caithness, hundreds of devices have already been given to young people.
Mr Kerr said: “We know there are a lot of youngsters out there whose parents just can’t afford to buy a device. The laptops we refurbish are donated with a version of the Linux operating system and we also install several additional educational applications.
“This is a fun way to learn, as these are in a game format and will help with their numeracy and literacy skills. All our devices will be PAT tested prior to being sent out to the families.
“Some of the applications we install are known to help children with additional needs.”
