Hotspots Lending

Hotspot Lending – Borrow the Internet at the Livingston County Library. Take the internet with you wherever you go with a library’s HotSpot device provided by Mobile Beason. These devices are small, yet mighty. You’ll be able to connect up to 12 Wi-Fi devices simultaneously and enjoy long-range Wi-Fi, both indoors and out. Equipped with an individual battery, the hotspot gives you hours of connectivity through Mobile Beacon’s (formerly Sprint) mobile network. How does it work? The Livingston County Library a limited number of hotspots are available. To ensure availability you will need to place a hotspot on hold. Hotspots are available to Livingston County Library card holders in good standing. Users must comply with the Livingston County Library Acceptable Use Policy, sign the agreement form and Mobile Beacon/Sprint Terms of Service. To turn on, press and hold the Power button. 1. From your computer, smartphone or tablet, connect to the network.* 2. When battery is low, plug the charger into an electrical outlet. 3. When finished, turn it off and return all the pieces to the case. To return to the library, the hotspot must be checked in at the front desk. It cannot be placed in the book drop. *If you are unsure how to choose a wireless network, consult your device’s instruction manual or stop at the Adult Services Desk for assistance. What else do I need to know? We cannot guarantee internet speed or coverage. Please check the Mobile Beacon Coverage Map to check for availability and speed in your location. You can connect up to 12 different devices at one time to a wi-fi hotspot. Please review the Library’s Hotspot Lending Policy for further details regarding non return of items and overdue charges. Here’s the link for the complete user guide provided by Mobile Beacon.

Livingston County Library Mobile WiFi Hotspot Lending Program Policy Adopted September 16, 2021

The Livingston County Library is pleased to loan free Mobile WiFi Hotspot Kits (hotspots) to patrons to increase their access to the Internet and the library’s many digital resources. A mobile WiFi Hotspot is a small device you can use to connect a wireless enabled device, such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet to the Internet. Hotspots are portable, so you can connect up to twelve (12) devices to the Internet anywhere service is covered by the Sprint/T-Mobile/Beacon network within the United States.

ELIGIBILITY AND LOAN PERIOD

• The Livingston County Library lends hotspots to patrons ages sixteen (16) and older with library cards in good standing (no fines, fees, or unreturned items on their account for the household).  
• Parents and/or caregivers can check out hotspots for their children’s use for educational purposes with the understanding the devices are CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act) compliant.
• Patron(s) must establish a good lending relationship with the library before they are allowed to check out the library’s technology.  Patron(s) new to the library will be placed on a 45-day probationary period before technology can be checked out.  During this probationary period, the patron must perform a minimum of five (5) successful checkout/returns of library materials, and can include use of the in-house technology. 
• Hotspots are available on a first-come, first-served basis and the loan limit is one (1) hotspot device per household at any given time.
• The lending period is 2 (two) weeks.
• The hotspot can be reserved or placed on hold.
• The hotspots will not loan or be sent in delivery to other Missouri Evergreen consortium libraries.

CHECKOUT, RETURNS AND LOST/DAMAGE FINES

• To borrow a hotspot, a patron must present their library card to the Circulation Staff and complete a loan agreement form. Once a hotspot is checked out to a patron, it becomes the responsibility of that patron.
• Any changes in condition or content while in the patron’s care will be the patron’s responsibility.
• The patron is responsible for damage, loss, theft and/or International Roaming charges accrued due to data usage outside of the United States.
• If any technical problems are encountered, patrons should return the device immediately to the Circulation Staff.
• Device will become deactivated after it becomes overdue.
• Hotspots MUST be returned to a staff member at the Livingston County Library Circulation Desk and may not be returned in the book drop or at another library system.
• An overdue charge of $5.00 per day up to the full replacement cost of $105.00 will be charged for a hotspot that is not returned. Overdue hotspots will have Internet access deactivated within 48 hours beyond their due date and cannot be reactivated by the patron.
• Repeated attempts by library staff to secure the return of device(s) and/or components will result in the suspension of privileges for technology.
• Patrons are responsible for replacement costs if the hotspot or any parts are lost, stolen, damaged or not returned:

Item Replacement Cost

Mobile Beacon Mobile Hotspot Device $75.00

USB Type-C Charging Cable & AC Adapter $15.00

Carrying Case $15.00

Mobile WiFi Hotspot Kit $105.00

• Regarding unresolved fees or fines, the Livingston County Library will send a letter to the patron/household responsible for the fees or fines and carbon copy the letter to the Prosecuting Attorney.

INTERNET, DEVICE AND INFORMATION USE/MISUSE

While using the library’s hotspot patrons are governed by the same rules as the Library’s Internet Policy. Patrons are responsible for the Internet use of any minors while using the hotspot.

The Livingston County Library is not responsible for any liability, damages or expense resulting from the use or misuse of the hotspot device, connection of the device to other electronic devices, or data loss resulting from the use of device and/or connection to the Internet. Wireless security is not implied. The user acknowledges and accepts all risks associated with the use of the wireless data device. There is no warranty, express or otherwise.

The Livingston County Library is not responsible for any information a user accesses and encounters using a hotspot or any actions a user takes while online. Using the hotspot to access any online content determined to be illegal or obscene according to federal, state or municipal law will result in the revocation of hotspot borrowing privileges and potentially criminal prosecution. The user will not tamper with the hotspot (hardware and software), or attempt to open, repair or modify the hotspot in any way.

PRIVACY TERMS

User Internet usage is not tracked by the Library or the Internet service provider. The Library does not have access to or collect specific usage data. The Library does not provide patron information to the service provider. The only data the Library collects about the hotspots are the following:

● Total amount of data transmitted and received by each device during a billing cycle, and

● Anonymous circulation data related to the number of checkouts of each device.

The Library and the Internet service provider do not monitor or track the websites that a user visits or the information that a user enters and/or submits online (i.e., user names, passwords, credit card information, etc.).