Library 'hot spot' devices a hot commodity

Wikipedia describes an internet hot spot as "an area where a user can access the Internet via Wi-Fi. A mobile, or portable, hot spot device enables users to connect to the Internet using a small box with a cell phone data plan that they can bring with them wherever they go."

The device itself emits a Wi-Fi signal that users can connect their personal devices to such as a laptop, tablet, or smart phone in order to use the Internet and ranges from $18 to almost $1,000 depending on the bells and whistles and other options.

These small portable hot spot devices are made by many different companies and depending on the plan a person has with their cell phone company appear to cost anywhere between $0 and $45 a month.

However, if a person were to go the Mineral County Library, they can check out a portable device at no cost.

“We have, at the moment, 16 (portable) hot spot devices in the Superior library and five each at the Alberton and St. Regis libraries. They are pretty much continually checked out. Our policy is two weeks checkout but they can be renewed,” reports Guna Chaberek, director of the Mineral County Public Library.

“Well, it’s been very beneficial to me, particularly through the last half of Covid when I didn’t have much contact with anybody at all. Being able to utilize the internet for communication and news and keeping in contact with people is incredibly valuable,” shared Gerry Geske who has been a Superior resident since 1981.

“And of course, the library providing the hot spots is pretty critical to this area,” he concluded.

The Montana State Library has partnered with T-Mobile and Verizon to support the program. Montana libraries may receive hot spot devices from one or both providers depending on cellular coverage and whether a library chooses to circulate the filtered devices. Libraries may also use hot spots to serve groups of people by making them available in parks, at museums, in grocery stores, in senior centers, and in other partner organizations.

Chaberek also shared that this pilot program is about to end.

“The State Library Commission is providing the hot spots right now, and we're told this will last until June 30 of this year. The State Library will be asking for a more permanent, I believe, provision. But many are used for schooling, including home schooling and it is very hard for those people not to have a unit. We would like to have this program funded.”

The Montana Legislature is scheduled to hear testimony for funding the program on Tuesday, Feb. 7. The cost to continue will be $480,000 per year for two years, and this will not interrupt or change what each county allocates their own library.

Keith Miles, who has lived his entire life in Superior, leaving only to serve in the Air Force for four years, has a different reason for wanting the program to stay in place.

“I use it for backup on my phone and iPad. Also uploading new programs. I use it instead of going to the library because I can’t always get there when they are open. If we did lose it, it would be an inconvenience.”

Access to the Internet is a universal need but one that goes unmet for far too many Montanans due to lack of available or affordable Internet service. The program was started in May/June of 2020 and 95 Montana libraries are participating.