December 1, 2020
Trails Regional Library is excited to begin the next phase of its Hotspot Lending Program. 30 Internet-ready WiFi Hotspots are now available for Trails Regional Library patrons to check out for up to 2 weeks. These Hotspots are part of a grant Trails Regional Library was awarded from the Missouri State Library’s CARES Act Grant. The funding is meant to address digital inclusion, broadband availability, and to respond to the challenges of COVID-19 in its communities.
The library has already started the Hotspot Lending Program through partner agencies to use in their services. Agencies include Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Johnson County, WILS, Missouri Valley Community Action Agency, and Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund.
Library patrons can call their local branch or reserve a hotspot online at trailslibrary.org through the Evergreen catalog. There is a limit of one hotspot device per cardholder for 2 weeks with the opportunity to renew if no other patrons have one on reserve. Hotspots can be used with up to 10 devices at a time and utilize T-Mobile service. Trails Regional Library has established a Tech Help Hotline to assist patrons with Hotspots and any other technology questions. Contact 660-864-0002 during library hours for assistance. Patrons can share their valuable feedback about the program using our survey.
“We are so excited for the opportunity to bridge the digital divide in our communities through this grant program,” said Library Director Tanya Shelton-Council.
According to the most recent American Community Survey (2019), within Trails Regional Library’s service areas of Johnson and Lafayette counties:
- 10% of households include people aged 65+ living alone
- 15% of households have no internet access at all
- 10% of households have no kind of computer or internet-connected device
This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.