Because the issue is they’re not even allowed a PC, the budget only allows typewriters.
They even point out in the article that a new Swintec technically costs more than a new, crummy laptop.
They’re promoting new legislation to allow the libraries to allow modern equipment and not just typewriters.
Further, since it’s a Correctional Facility library, there’s gonna be strict controls and even if they wanted Libre Office instead of Microsoft Office they would have to put in a formal request for it and then have various security teams deciding whether it was safe to use or not, even though it is technically free. I mean, that goes for pretty much any government job or corporate job, too. They don’t usually let people install whatever they want on government or corporate networks.