Public library offers Wi-Fi hotspots for patrons to check out

The Forrest City Public Library has Wi-Fi hotspots available to check out.

"They are available to check out just like any other item in the library that can ben checked out," said Arlisa Harris, FCPL Director.

According to Harris the hotspots were made possible through a grant from Capital One and the American Library Association.

"They can connect to up to nine devices on the Verizon network," said Harris, adding that the devices have been used for travel and in the county with success.

"So far, the ones who have taken them home have been very happy," said Harris. "They've been able to connect and use the Internet."

Those interested in checking out a hotspot are required to have a library card and be in good standing with the library.

"You can't have an overdue book or such," said Harris.

Harris also said the library is looking to add laptops and tablets to the items for checkout through the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF).

"The Emergency Connectivity Fund was established by the Federal Communications Commission to provide funding for libraries and schools to bridge the homework or connectivity gap in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic," said Harris. "ECF was passed as part of the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021 to ensure libraries can provide eligible equipment and services to patrons with unmet needs."

Harris said there are certain requirements to receive the funding and equipment and equipment can only be provided to patrons who do not have access to equipment or services sufficient to access the Internet.

"Patrons will be required to sign a statement declaring that they do not have access to such equipment or services," said Harris. "And we have to keep those records for 10 years. The records will be locked up during all hours, and that is per this funding, not us."

Harris said eligible equipment from the funding includes Wi-Fi hotspots, connected devices such as laptops or tablets, modems or routers.

"We will add laptops and tablets," said Harris. "There was the option to do more hotspots but we felt we had enough availability of those at this time. We thought it would be better served to use on laptops and tablets for people to take home."

Harris said the library applied to have 10 laptops and a variety of nine tablets.

"I applied for several iPads, Kindles and Google tablets," said Harris who added the ECF program is designed to provide connectivity away from library property.

Harris said that upon return, the devices would be cleaned of any files or other history on them before they could be checked out again.

Other rules patrons need to understand, according to Harris, is that because the library receives federal reimbursement on its Internet services, the tablets and laptops must be CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act) compliant.

"CIPA is a federal law enacted by Congress to address concerns about access to offensive content over the Internet on school and library computers," said Harris. “We have to make sure all of these devices are set to not get on certain sites. I have to create logins on these tablets and laptops as if children will be using them so they are compliant. It's their funding and their rules so we have to abide by those.

"We are awaiting approval of this funding and should know some time this month,” said Harris.

In other library news, the facility will host an adult coloring book club on Monday, Aug. 23. from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Participants in the book club this month will have the chance to read “Death on the Nile” by Agatha Christie.