Hotspot Lending

A hotspot is a wi-fi device you can use to connect a mobile-enabled device, such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, to the Internet. The hotspots are portable and our service vendor is Sprint. The hotspot has unlimited data but can only be used within the continental United States. The Illinois Prairie District Public Library makes hotspots available to IPDPL cardholders to assist in research, networking, recreation and document or presentation production needs. Hotspots are provided according to availability.

The following rules and regulations apply:

1. The Illinois Prairie District Public Library lends hotspot devices to IPDPL cardholders ages 18 or above with library cards in good standing (i.e. library card is not blocked due to unpaid fines or lost materials) and who have held an IPDPL card for at least 90 days.
2. In addition, the IPDPL Internet Use Policy & Agreement and a Hotspot Patron Agreement Form must also be completed.
3. Hotspots checkout is limited to one per household. When the hotspot is returned, there is a 7-day waiting period to checkout another hotspot device by that household.
4. The loan period is 14 days, and it cannot be renewed or reserved.
5. Hotspots are available at the Circulation Desk on a first-come, first-served basis. The library reserves the right to refuse service to patrons who abuse equipment or who are repeatedly late in returning materials.
6. Hotspots are to be returned inside the library at the circulation desk, not in the book drop. Patrons will be held responsible for damage to the item if it is returned in the book drop. Hot spots must be kept in a temperature controlled environment (not left in vehicles or in extreme temperature environments).
7. Fines for unreturned hotspots are $5 per day and will accumulate up to the full replacement cost of $75 for a hotspot that is not returned. If the hotspot is overdue, the service will be cut off and the user’s library privileges will be suspended.
8. The library is not responsible for any liability, damages or expense resulting from use or misuse of the device, connection of the device to other electronic devices, or data loss resulting from use of device.
9. The borrower assumes full responsibility for the cost of repair or replacement in the event that the hotspot is lost, stolen or damaged. The library staff will assess the technological issues and charge the borrower accordingly. Missing parts will result in the following charges:
   1. Hotspot: $75
   2. USB cable: $25
   3. Adapter: $25
   4. Case: $15
      If the hotspot is not returned, its wireless service will be discontinued and the hotspot will be unusable.
10. The library is not responsible for information accessed using this device or for personal information that is shared over the internet. Hotspot users are encouraged to follow safe internet practices.
11. The following behaviors can result in the suspension of hotspot privileges and/or criminal prosecution:
    1. Viewing, displaying, or disseminating materials that are judged in accordance with current legal definitions as being obscene.
    2. Use of the internet in any way which violates federal, state, or municipal laws.
    3. Failure to return devices in a timely manner.
    4. Using an IPDPL hotspot as the households sole source of internet.
12. Three (3) late returns for any device checkout will result in being permanently banned from borrowing all hotspot devices.