Self-service benefit kiosks installed at Dougherty Co. Public Library
ALBANY, Ga. – Over 400 self-service kiosks are being placed across Georgia, providing residents with a convenient way to manage essential services.
The Georgia Department of Human Services (GDHS) and the Georgia Public Library Services (GPLS) have partnered to install free self-service kiosks at public libraries across the state, including Dougherty County Public Library locations.
“We are really excited about having these kiosks here just because not only do they allow access to services that people might not have access to originally, so if they don’t have a computer or something of that nature, but it will increase access overall and will get people inside the library just to see what other services we provide,” said Sarah Shelton, Senior Branch Manager of the Northwest Library.
The self-serve kiosk will reduce wait times and provide access at the point of need. These kiosks offer public access to Georgia Gateway, the state’s integrated eligibility system, allowing users to review, change, or renew benefits such as Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and more.
Sarah Shelton, Senior Branch Manager of the Northwest Library, offers insight regarding the placement of the kiosks in Albany.
“You can access one of these kiosks at various places around Albany. You can access them at every library, whether it be here Northwest. You can access one at Central, which is downtown at Tallulah Massey, West Town, or at Southside. Regarding sensitive information, although these kiosks are in public areas, they are off to the side. So, you’re not quite in front of everyone while you’re doing this. And it is a safe to use format. You just put in your password, your information, and then you log right out and will actually arrest your whole entire session,” said Shelton.
The DHS and GPLS aim to encourage kiosk user to explore additional free library services – including programs such as ‘A Thousand Books Before Kindergarten,’ laptop and internet hotspot for check out, online job skills training, and more.
“We are just overall extremely excited about this service and we think it’s really going to get a lot of use and we’re just happy to be one. The libraries that were selected to receive one of these. We’re very grateful,” said Shelton.
De’Andra Jacobs reporting.
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