Hotspot Policy

The Maquoketa Public Library is pleased to loan free Mobile WiFi Hotspots to resident card holders to increase their access to the Internet and the library’s many digital resources. A mobile WiFi Hotspot is a small device you can use to connect a wireless enabled device, such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet to the Internet. Hotspots are portable and you can connect up to ten (10) devices to the Internet anywhere service is covered by the US Cellular LTE network within the United States.

ELIGIBILITY AND LOAN PERIOD

The Maquoketa Public Library lends hotspots to resident card holders ages eighteen (18) and older with library cards in good standing. The loan limit is one (1) hotspot device per household at any given time. The lending period is seven (7) days. If there are no holds, a hotspot may be renewed one (1) time. A returned hotspot must remain in the library for seven (7) days before the same individual or a household member may check it out again. Reservations are allowed if all hotspots are currently on loan.

CHECKOUT, RETURNS, AND LOST/DAMAGE FINES

To borrow a hotspot, a patron must present their library card and ID to the Circulation Staff in person and complete a loan agreement form. Once a hotspot is checked out to a patron, it becomes the responsibility of that patron. Any changes in condition or content while in the patron’s care will be the patron’s responsibility. The patron is responsible for damage, loss, theft and/or International Roaming charges accrued due to data usage outside of the United States. If any technical problems are encountered, patrons should return the device immediately to the Circulation Staff.
Hotspots MUST be returned to a staff member at the Maquoketa Public Library Circulation Desk. A $5 fee will be assessed if a hotspot is returned in the book drop. There is a $5 late fee for each day the mobile hotspot kit is not returned on time. Service will be turned off if the kit is not returned by the due date. Fines accrue by $5 per day until the device is returned. If the device is lost, stolen, or broken beyond repair, a $200 fine will be charged to your library account. Patrons are responsible for replacement costs if any part of the kit is lost, stolen, damaged or not returned.

INTERNET, DEVICE, AND INFORMATION USE/MISUSE

The Maquoketa Public Library is not responsible for any liability, damages or expense resulting from the use or misuse of the hotspot device, connection of the device to other electronic devices, or data loss resulting from the use of device and/or connection to the Internet. Wireless security is not implied. The user acknowledges and accepts all risks associated with the use of the wireless data device. There is no warranty, express or otherwise.
The Maquoketa Public Library is not responsible for any information a user accesses and encounters using a hotspot or any actions a user takes while online. Using the hotspot to access any online content determined to be illegal or obscene according to federal, state or municipal law will result in the revocation of hotspot borrowing privileges and potentially criminal prosecution. The user will not tamper with the hotspot (hardware and software), or attempt to open, repair or modify the hotspot in any way.

PRIVACY TERMS

User Internet usage is not tracked by the Library or the Internet service provider. The Library does not have access to or collect specific usage data. The Library does not provide patron information to the service provider. The only data the Library collects about the hotspots are the following:
• total amount of data transmitted and received by each device during a billing cycle
• anonymous circulation data related to the number of checkouts of each device
The Library and the Internet service provider do not monitor or track the websites that a user visits or the information that a user enters and/or submits online (i.e., user names, passwords, credit card information, etc.).

Adopted August 2020