Mobile Hotspot Lending | Washington County Public Library

Borrow the Internet from Your Library

To further the Library’s mission to encourage lifelong learning, the Washington County Public Library is introducing a Mobile Hotspot lending program to make information – and more specifically the Internet – accessible to everyone. Using your library card, you can now check out a mobile hotspot.

Hotspots provide Internet access to smartphones, tablets, computers, and other wireless enabled devices through the Sprint or Verizon cellular data network. Up to 10 devices can connect to the hotspot at one time and there are no data plan fees or data limits. (Verizon hotspots may be noticeably slower after 24 GB of data use.) Service is dependent on the availability of the Sprint or Verizon network where the hotspot is being used.

Guidelines for Borrowing

You must be 18 years of age or older to check out a hotspot.
A valid Library Card in good standing, with a current address on file, must be presented at the time of checkout. Verification of address may be requested.
You may only borrow a hotspot from the library location from which your card was issued.
You are limited to one hotspot per household at a time.
You may not loan the hotspot to another person outside your household.
Hotspots must be returned in person to the library branch from which it was picked up. A staff member will do a visual check to ensure that the device and accessories are returned in good condition.
Do not put hotspots in the Library book drop – they could be damaged and you will be held responsible for replacement costs.
Hotspots are not available at the Local History and Genealogy Archives.
There are two different brands of hotspots available, one from Sprint and one from Verizon (Barlow Library only). You can find Sprint’s coverage map at https://coverage.sprint.com/IMPACT.jsp and Verizon’s at https://vzwmap.verizonwireless.com/dotcom/coveragelocator
Hotspots are intended for short term use. They are not to be used as a source of free long-term Internet access. Please limit the number of times you borrow them.

Loan Period

Hotspots may be checked out for ten (10) days.
Hotspots may not be renewed.

Holds

Holds may be placed at the Service Desk of any Washington County Public Library location except the Local History and Genealogy Archives and the Lafayette Branch. (Hotspots are only available on a first come, first served basis at the Lafayette branch.) You may also place holds over the phone.
You may only place a hold at the library branch from which you have a library card.
You will receive notification when a hotspot becomes available.
You have seven (7) days to check out the hotspot before your hold is cancelled.

Fines

Overdue hotspots will be deactivated after 24 hours.
Overdue hotspots will be marked as lost after 30 days at which time you will be charged the full replacement cost of the device ($57.00 for Sprint, $62.00 for Verizon) plus a $3.00 processing fee.
Patrons are responsible for costs associated with the loss or damage of the hotspot, the USB cable (some models), power adapter, and case.
Branch managers may restrict patrons' abilities to check out hotspots after returning late hotspots to the library. It is up to branch managers to decide the time frames for these restrictions. You can call your local branch to find out more.

Replacement Costs:

Hotspot - $35.00
Case - $10.00
Power Adapter - $12.00
USB Cable (Verizon only) - $5.00

Borrower’s Responsibilities

Keep the hotspot in a temperature-controlled environment; do not leave it in a car.
Do not expose the hotspot to moisture or abrasives (i.e. sand).
Do not drop the hotspot.
Only use the included USB cable and/or power adapter to charge the hotspot.
Do not disassemble or remove the battery from the hotspot.
Turn the hotspot off when not in use.
Keep the hotspot, power adapter, and USB cable in the case when not in use. Be sure to turn off the hotspot before putting it in the case.

Safety

DO NOT expose the hotspot to liquids or moisture.
DO NOT expose the hotspot to extreme temperatures, either hot or cold.
DO NOT expose the hotspot to lit candles, cigarettes, cigars, open flames, etc.
DO NOT drop, throw, or try to bend the hotspot. Rough treatment may damage the hotspot.
DO NOT attempt to disassemble the hotspot.
DO NOT leave a charging hotspot unattended.
STOP using and turn off the hotspot if it appears damaged, is too hot to touch, or has a “hot” smell.
DO NOT operate the hotspot in areas where blasting is in progress, where explosive atmospheres may be present, near medical equipment, near life support equipment, or any equipment which may be susceptible to any form of radio interference.
DO NOT operate the hotspot in any aircraft, whether the aircraft is on the ground or in flight.
The driver or operator of any vehicle should not operate the hotspot while in control of a vehicle. Doing so may detract from the driver’s control and operation of that vehicle.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the hotspot, fire, electric shock, or injury.

Instructions for Use

Press and hold the power button located on the top edge of the hotspot for two-four (2-4) seconds to turn on the hotspot. If it does not turn on, it may need charging (see below).
Wait for the hotspot to complete its startup. It may take up to a minute for it to establish a network connection.
On your computer or other Wi-Fi enabled device, search for available Wi-Fi networks and select WCPL.
Enter the network password (Read1234) which can be found on the back of the hotspot. The password is case sensitive.
When you are finished using the hotspot, press and hold the power button until the display shows Goodbye (Sprint) or Shutting down… (Verizon).

If you cannot connect to the Internet, check the hotspot’s display for the availability of cellular data service. (If the display is dark, press the power button once quickly to wake it.) Check the signal strength indicator in the upper-left corner of the screen.

Charging the Hotspot – Sprint R910

Insert the small plug of the charging cable into the charging port on the side of the hotspot. Be sure the plug is oriented correctly – Do not force it!
Plug the power adapter into a standard 110-volt wall outlet.
The hotspot should fully charge in approximately three to four hours.
Disconnect the power adapter after the hotspot is charged.

Charging the Hotspot – Verizon Jetpack

Insert the large plug of the USB cable into the power adapter. Be sure the plug is oriented correctly – Do not force it!
Insert the small plug of the USB cable into the charging port on the bottom of the hotspot. Be sure the plug is oriented correctly – Do not force it!
Plug the power adapter into a standard 110-volt wall outlet.
The hotspot should fully charge in approximately three to four hours.
Disconnect the power adapter after the hotspot is charged.

The hotspot can be used while it is charging.

If you have any questions about the operation of the hotspot, call Library IT Support at 740-373-1057 extension 224.

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