Iola Public Library has added a new service: circulating Internet hotspots. The hotspots bring an Internet connection into a home or other location and allow computers or devices to connect to it via wi-fi. There are currently five hotspots available to check out. Later this month, an additional 10 “smart hotspots” should be available. T-Mobile/Sprint is the carrier.
Funding for the hotspots comes from a Broadband Partnership Adoption Grant through the Kansas Department of Commerce using CARES Act, or federal coronavirus relief, funds.
The regular hotspots are suitable for those who have smartphones, computers, tablets or other devices with wi-fi capability. Those who have no computers or other devices can check out the smart hotspots, since besides bringing the Internet connection, they are themselves a device which can be used.
Besides bringing the Internet to households which don’t have access, the hotspots will also benefit the family with multiple people staying at home trying to either attend class or work from home. Their Internet connection may be suitable for one or two people, but if they have two or three children as well as one or more adults all trying to use the Internet, their service may be inadequate to support that. The additional connection provided by the hotspot will be valuable. In addition, the smart hotspots can be of benefit to families with fewer devices than people needing to use them.
The hotspots check out for two weeks to any registered patron of the library in good standing. They can be renewed multiple times if there are no holds on the device. Overdue charges will be $1 per day, and Internet service will be turned off for any devices which are a week overdue.
Those checking out a hotspot are asked to please keep it in a temperature-controlled environment — for instance, not left in a vehicle. Hotspots should not be left in the library book drop, but instead be taken inside and returned at the circulation desk in the library.
