The Atlanta Fulton Public Library System has a novel approach to bring technology to people while its Central branch is under renovation.

"Library on the Lawn" is in its second week at Woodruff Park. It consists of 10 Chromebooks, set up on tables under a tent on the shady north side of the park, with the water wall cascading nearby.

The occasional fire engine siren passing on Peachtree Street is also part of the backdrop, if Tuesday afternoon was any indication. But the hubbub of the city didn't seem to bother the people who were taking advantage of the laptops.

The computers have a 30-minute use period – if there is a wait. However, if there is no wait, the user can surf as long as they want.

"The library isn't just about books anymore," says Amanda Densmore, Community Engagement Librarian at Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System. "It's about technology, and bringing Internet to people who may not necessarily have it. We just want to make sure that everybody has equal access, and ways to get what they need done."

Densmore says no library card is needed to sign up to use a laptop, but they are also providing library cards for anyone who wants to get one. She says the AFPLS has a lot of features that people may not know about, including free downloadable movies, TV shows, books, comics, and music streaming, as well as access to the New York Times and digital magazines. She says just four days in, it seems clear that Library on the Lawn is a hit.

"I've seen regulars since I've been here," she says. "Definitely, people are coming back."

Carol Land is one person who's stopped by the tent more than once to sign on. Most of the time, her Internet access is through her phone--except days like today, when her connection seems like it's "in outer space," she says. She last logged on to dump all the unnecessary e-mail in her inbox.

"I just use Facebook on my phone. I talk to my kids on Facebook, and I looked for a job," says Land.

Densmore says the library has also brought with it the capability to provide Wi-Fi access to people there upon request, if they don't want to log on to a laptop.

Mustafa El Ahmiyd was scrolling through Facebook early Tuesday afternoon, and watching a video about the late singer Prince. He, too, uses Facebook to connect with his children, who live abroad.

"I get online here and go onto Facebook and I'm in their country instead of this country," he smiles. He hopes the library expands the outdoor computer program, he says; he often uses the library or a coffee shop to get online.

"Besides being out in the air, you're out in nature, you're hearing the waterfall behind you, so that's cool. It’s soothing," says El Ahmiyd. "Then you want to take a break, look at a bird or whatever. A good distraction. A lot of positives there."

Jayantkumar Sutaria sat at a table across from El Ahmiyd, clicking through a Yahoo! screen. He says the outdoor laptops make him think of a modern version of the ancient open-air schools in his home country of India, and admits he likes the idea of surfing outside more than being indoors on a pleasant day.

"In the presence of nature, I would like to work," says Sutaria. "Coming out here, this is far better. I am checking for the news, my e-mails, what is happening in the world."

Land pointed out that some things, however, she still must do on her phone.

"Alls you can do is apply for a job, send a resume. Everything's blocked from the public library and everything's blocked from this Wi-Fi--you can't gamble or anything like that from this," she notes. "It's just to help your business life out."

Densmore says the Chromebooks are going to be available Mondays-Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., weather permitting, 'til further notice. The Central library branch's renovations are expected to take about two years.

"I think a lot of times librarians are getting outside of the buildings, because that's just where we need to be," says Densmore.