MOBILE WI-FI HOTSPOTS
Mineral County Public Library

Need an internet connection so you can study from home, look for a job, send an email, file a document online...or....?

Borrow a free-data mobile-Wi-Fi Hotspot from us. It works best with nearby cell service.
Free Internet Connection via your Mineral County MT Library
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What’s included with each hotspot?
Carrying case, USB cable with charger, and mobile hotspot unit.
Quick Mobile Hot Spot Guide

    Before using the Hotspot, charge it for three hours. You  may still use it while it is charging.
   
To turn on the Hotspot device, press and hold the power button until you see the word  “Welcome” on the LCD screen.
   
In order to get a better wireless signal, make sure you are in an area that is covered by the T-Mobile network.
   
The Wi-Fi network name and password are printed on the label of the Hotspot device.
   
The Hotspot device works on most Wi-Fi enabled devices such as laptops, desktops, smart phones and tablets. To connect your device, find the Wi-Fi network name on your device and connect to it.
   
The Hotspot battery will last between 8 to 24 hours depending on usage. To shut down or turn off the device completely, press and hold the power button until you see the word “Goodbye” on the LCD Screen.
   
When you are ready to return the Hotspot to the library, place the device and charger in the box.

Make sure to return it to Library location’s service desk where you checked it out.
    Please be gentle with the device, charger and case. There is a $10 fee for damaged or lost battery, charger, cord and/or adapter.
Read More: Press Release
State of Montana Newsroom
BACKGROUND:
Mobile Hot Spots for Loan at Montana Public Libraries
At their April 27 (2020) meeting, the Montana State Library Commission allocated funds to purchase mobile wifi hot spots and cellular service to increase the availability of hot spots that can be loaned to library patrons throughout Montana. All 82 public libraries, and Montana’s seven tribal college libraries are eligible to receive at least two hot spots to place into circulation and ten libraries will be selected, based upon need, to receive additional hot spots.  The hot spots will come with a one year, fully paid cellular plan as part of a pilot project to explore how these devices are used by Montanans to access critical services and support economic development activities.

According to the 2020 study on The State of Broadband Connectivity and Related IT Infrastructure in Montana’s Public Libraries, one quarter of public libraries in Montana are the sole source of free Internet access in their respective communities. 

During the COVID-19 crisis response, the need to make Internet access mobile in communities has become even more apparent and pressing, to name a few.
Montana State Library is offering libraries free mobile hotspot use for patrons.
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Download PDF Directions
Mobile Hotspot Borrowing Guidelines
14-day checkout only
Must be 18 years or older to check out
1 hotspot check out per cardholder/household at a time
Each hotspot will allow 10 people to access it at the same time
No renewals but holds are available at this time
Hotspots are deactivated if overdue or if excessive data is used, including downloading movies or other large files
Units must be returned to the Circulation Desk and not at outside return
All components must be returned together

Borrower agreement must be signed before hotspot is issued to the patron
Browse the internet from any mobile device 24/7.
Got a smartphone, laptop, tablet or other mobile device, but no internet service? We can help. Thanks to a grant from the Montana State Library, we have mobile "hotspot" devices to loan to anyone 18 years or older for the standard 14-day lending period.

Hotspots allow free internet connection anywhere that there is cell tower coverage. Our program provider is T-Mobile. You can borrow these small devices at the Circulation Desk at all three of our libraries:
Superior (Main Branch), Alberton and St. Regis.
What does a patron need to use a hotspot?

A patron needs to be within range of a cellular tower and needs to have an Internet-ready device -- such as a computer, laptop, tablet, or smart phone -- to use with the hotspot.
Hotspots for Montana Shared Catalog member libraries come pre-cataloged with a 14-day lending period. The hotspots are holdable and do not renew.
What is a hotspot and how does it work?

A hotspot is an area where a user can access the Internet using Wi-Fi. A mobile hotspot device is a small box that emits a Wi-Fi signal. Once set up, it can use a nearby cell tower to connect you to the internet using your personal devices (laptop, tablet, or smart phone). The hotspot operates with a cell phone data plan (in this case, Library provided with data limits). The hotspot is portable, so you can connect from virtually wherever you are: at home, grandma's house, the skate park.
Superior (406) 822-3563
Open Mondays through Thursdays
10 AM to 4 PM
Alberton (406) 722-3372
Open Tuesdays and Thursdays
12:30 PM to 5:30 PM

St. Regis (406) 649-2427 Ext. 215
Open Tuesdays 4:30 - 8:30 PM Thursdays 10 AM to 3 PM, and Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM
For additional borrowing guidelines, contact the Circulation Desk at Mineral County Public Library.
T-Mobile offers internet filtering that complies with the Children’s Internet Protection Act
Because this is a pilot program, the State Library encourages libraries to ask their patrons to complete a simple survey (PDF version)* that the State Library has prepared to understand how the devices are used.  Libraries have paper copies of the survey for patrons who cannot or choose not to complete the survey online.

HOTSPOT LENDING PROGRAM

*ONLINE Survey:
Hotspot Lending Survey
Jennie Stapp, Montana State Librarian
(2020)
"By providing mobile hot spots to libraries, and through the pilot study, we hope to expand access now, and learn more about the impacts of offering cellular-data devices to Montana’s library patrons so that we can best support Montanans to thrive.”

What online activities can I do while using the hotspot?

Some ideas are:

- Access online health information or telehealth services

- Check information about schools

- Complete homework

- Connect with family and friends via videoconference (Facetime, Skype, etc.)

- Enroll in an educational class

- Fill out forms (social services, taxes, etc.)

- Keep informed of current events

- Learn a new skill

- Look for/apply to jobs

- Look up directions or transportation information

- Play computer games

- Purchase items online

- Research a topic of interest

- Use social media

- View entertainment

 

NOTE:  PLEASE DO NOT RUN VIDEO STREAMING SERVICES.
Devices come with only 20 GB of data. Make sure data is there for others.
A patron may be prohibited from borrowing if data is used to stream.
When you put an item on hold, let us alert you when your items are ready for pick up, due, overdue or fees info through Email & Text.  Learn more.
Shoutbomb alerts you when your item from the Library is ready for pickup!
NOTE: This is a free Montana Shared Catalog service, but regular Text-messaging Rates Apply, per your phone plan.