Appalachian State University provides laptops and digital resources to students

Appalachian State University and the nonprofit E2D (Eliminate the Digital Divide) distributed 200 refurbished laptops to first-year, first-generation students on August 27. The initiative targeted eligible students across the Boone, Hickory, and App State Online campuses to help mitigate technological barriers to education.

Since 2022, the university's Information Technology Services has partnered with the Charlotte-based nonprofit, donating nearly 3,000 devices, including 1,100 that were refurbished and distributed within Watauga County.

Additionally, the university provides digital academic resources through the Belk Library and Information Commons. Students can access thousands of digital books and audiobooks via the Libby app using an App State library card. Other available resources include the NCLive HomeGrown Ebooks Collection, university databases, and MackinVIA.