Buying hotspots, laptops, and iPads for patron use

By Kelly Kandra Hughes

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021, the Norfolk Library is now the recipient of over $15,000 in grant money.

ARPA is the $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package designed to facilitate the United States’ recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Libraries were designated to receive a portion of those funds through the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which established high-priority spending categories. Libraries can use the ARPA money to respond safely to the pandemic (purchasing cleaning and PPE supplies); to provide services that meet the needs of their communities, including costs related to technology, training, materials, supplies and equipment; and to support digital inclusion efforts in the communities they serve, particularly in support of education, health and workforce development. 

The Norfolk Library prioritized two of the IMLS spending categories and requested money for digital inclusions efforts and a thorough cleaning of the library. This decision came after careful consideration of how the library functions in our small, rural community of approximately 1,600 people and how it could best meet the needs for underserved patrons in Norfolk who may rely on the library to access technology. 

At present, not all Norfolk homes are connected to the Internet. Sixty-five percent have Comcast at various speeds, leaving out about 300 homes. Some of these homes do have access to DSL connections, but DSL only supports low levels of Internet access. Even with Comcast, upstream speeds are often bogged down by multiple users streaming at once. Comcast is currently increasing its downstream speeds, but its upstream speed remains slow and will likely continue to remain too slow for some Internet activities and some users. For many patrons of the Norfolk Library, reliable, high-speed Internet is just not feasible given their financial situation and the town’s current infrastructure. 

“We wanted to remedy that situation,” says Ann Havemeyer, director of the Norfolk Library, “so we applied for four T-Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. These devices will provide some Norfolk residents with access to the Internet, and residents with broadband will be able to boost their current upstream capability during times when a faster, more reliable Internet speed is necessary for their educational and professional endeavors.”

In addition to the four Wi-Fi hotspots, the library also requested funds for four HP laptops (three for in-library use and one to check out) and four iPads (two for in-library use and two to check out). Before receiving the grant money, the library provided only limited access to computer technology. Two desktop computers were available for patron use. In 2018-19, the library’s most recent fiscal year unaffected by the pandemic, 847 patrons used those desktop computers for a total of 683.5 hours of Internet use. Although there were mobile devices for in-house use, none were available for checkout. 

Being able to check out these devices can be a game changer. One patron reported that her computer, which had been dying a slow death, chose an incredibly inconvenient time to stop working. She was thrilled to be able to have one of the new laptops to use at home until her new computer arrived. 

Any adult with a valid Norfolk Library card is welcome to come to the library to use or check out the newly acquired mobile devices. Hotspots have a 14-day loan period, while iPads are loaned for seven days and the laptop for three days. Patrons must fill out a user agreement form and provide a copy of a driver’s license or government-issued ID upon first checkout. Unlike other materials with late fees that are waived upon return to the library, the hotspots, iPads and laptops incur a $10 per day overdue fine. There is also a fine for putting a tech item in the book drop—they all must be returned in-person to the circulation desk. 

Even if you’re not interested is using the library’s new technology, Havemeyer encourages people to stop by the library to say hello, check out the latest art show or browse the stacks. Face masks are still required for the safety and protection of unvaccinated children and others. “Many of our patrons have been eager to return to the library as a place to socialize and be productive. Although we have been open to the public since June of 2020, our daily averages of patron visits are significantly down. ARPA grant funds have allowed us to give the library a top-to-bottom cleaning and sanitization. We want everyone to know that we prioritize the health, safety and well-being of our patrons.”