Home Connectivity Kits

Libraries with Digital Navigator support may be lending, or choose to start lending, devices and instructions that help the public be better connected to the internet. This page provides general guidance, research, and resources for supporting or implementing one of these Home Connectivity Kits lending programs. This page contains resources for three different categories of digital device lending models:

The California State Library funded Digital Navigators all have hotspots, Chromebooks, and peripherals (mouse and headset) identical or similar to what libraries are lending so as to help users troubleshoot the device they may have.

Hotspots

Hotspots are small devices that can take a cellular data plan and extend the connection to other devices via a local Wifi signal. Like cell phone data plans, there can be limits on the amount of data that a hotspot can send and receive.

Hotspot Devices

Libraries can lend a variety of devices that deliver hotspot connectivity. Actual hotspot devices have different features that libraries should consider. Some questions to consider:

  • How durable is the device?
  • Is the device compatible with multiple data providers?
  • How long does the battery charge last?
  • Can a CIPA filter be applied to the device?
  • Can multiple devices be connected to the device?
  • What is the size of the device?
  • Are there known issues with the ability of the device to connect to the network?
  • Does the device provide an easy way for staff to determine if it is fully functional?

If you need a jumping off point for help in answering these questions and considerations, the Maine State Library has put together this how-to-guide that may be helpful.

Data Plans

The key to planning a successful hotspot lending program is purchasing plans with no ceiling of data usage. This avoids patrons activating any extra data surcharge from the data provider as well as the experience where a patron has a hotspot for the first part of the month and uses 90% of the data on the device, leaving 10% for following patrons.

Additionally, it is recommended that libraries purchase hotspots that do not ‘Throttle’ or slow down data after a certain threshold has been passed.

A final consideration for data plans should be the roaming fees. Roaming is when, because hotspots are mobile and can be moved from one space to another, a device switches networks from one service provider to another to provide continuous service for the user. Some networks allow devices to automatically make these changes and then charge for the data that is outside of the provider’s network. Roaming fees incurred by the user and are unpredictable for the library.  Because libraries cannot effectively budget for them, most libraries find it prudent to purchase data plans that do not include roaming fees.

Data plans for hotspots vary widely, depending on the network and terms on the data. Mobile Citizen and Mobile Beacon sell library-friendly devices at rates as low as $10 a month. Most major cellular providers, such as AT&T, Verizon and Sprint also have hotspot data plans.

Filtering

If a library is purchasing hotspots and doesn’t require CIPA compliance for E-Rate or any other funding, then questions about filtering are less important.

If a library participates in E-Rate or is receiving the devices through federal funds, then CIPA compliant filtering of the hotspot is required.

There are two ways you can provide filtering for your hotspot. You can apply the filter at the device level, where traffic will be routed through your library’s paid filter and provide CIPA compliance. Or, a library can have the data provider filter the connection itself. Please note, not every data provider offers a filtered connection, and some charge extra fees for such a filter.

Support for Libraries Lending Hotspots

Hotspots often require unique lending practices to be effective for a library. Although there is not a single set of rules that work for every library, there are a series of considerations that libraries should take before launching a hotspot lending program.

Labeling

Most libraries label all the parts of the hotspot. The device itself, the power charging cord, the user’s guide and the hotspot box are all often labeled with the same bar code number. Depending on the type of hotspot you have purchased, you may directly label the hotspot with the SSID and password that a user would need to connect to the device.

Hotspot Recovery

One element to a successful hotspot-lending program involves mechanisms to recover the library’s hotspot if it is not returned.

The most common way to do this is to disable the hotspot’s service until it is again in the library’s possession. Most service providers have a method to do this, but you will want this procedure documented, including any information your library must provide to execute this order.

Most service providers require that you provide the SIM card number (sometimes it is called a PTN phone number or an IMEI) of the hotspot into a form or email or phone call before they can turn off service to the device. Having this identifying number stored in a place where library staff can access it is valuable. It is possible to store this information as an item note in the ILS of the library, just make sure that it is only able to be viewed by library staff and not patrons.  This allows library staff to update the record for the object when it is overdue or when it is ready to be returned to service.

Resources

Chromebooks

Chromebooks are a type of laptop that specifically run the Chrome OS operating system. As this laptop is more web browser focused than others, it can expediently fill certain internet related needs of users.

There are many features of Chrome OS and Chromebooks that libraries find advantageous. Chromebooks can effectively ‘wipe’ user data from the device, thereby making it easier to protect patron privacy. Guest users can log onto the device and have their entire profile deleted on shutdown. Thereby making it less likely that a user’s personal information will inadvertently be shared on the device and allowing the library to lend the device without lending out login information as well.

Chromebooks come with productivity software at no additional costs to the library. Specifically, Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides. These services can navigate Microsoft products (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) as well as other types of enterprise level productivity software.

A Chromebook can also be equipped with Google Admin Console (GAC) to provide CIPA compliant filtering at the device level and to allow library staff to remotely manage users, permissions and apps on circulating Chromebooks as well as refresh them for the next borrower.

Support for Libraries Lending Chromebooks

The California State Library, collaborating with Google has put together a series of video tutorials on how to configure your Chromebook for lending:

You can use these videos as short ‘how tos’ for setting up your library’s Google Admin Console.

Labeling, Care and Returning of Chromebooks

To make sure that all the parts associated with a Chromebook are returned and in order, it is recommended that you label the individual pieces of a Chromebook. This includes the charger, but could also include items like a mouse or a headset.

Many libraries also include stickers or other ‘branding’ elements on their Chromebook. Something that indicates, in an easy and friendly manner to the user, that the Chromebook is library property.

Chromebook batteries can deplete when not in use, so best practice is to have a place to charge Chromebooks between checkouts.

Resources

Although Digital Navigators can assist users with general Chromebook operations, there are some troubleshooting issues which require the lending library to access their Google Admin Console, which Digital Navigators cannot access.

Home Connectivity Kits

A home connectivity kit usually contains several objects, including a hotspot, a laptop or netbook, headphones, a mouse and a set of user instructions. The idea behind a home connectivity kit is to bridge the difference between what an affluent commercial computer user can afford and what the library offers for checkout from the circulation desk. A netbook and hotspot alone are inferior to the computing experience that most computer owners have.

By recognizing the reality of what a patron is trying to ‘do’ when they borrow a laptop from the library, the library is able to respond to that need and deliver a set of materials that round out the experience to make it more akin to what a home computer user experiences. The peripherals – mice and headphones – enable a better browsing experience and afford more usability for certain tasks – like video calling – than a standalone Chromebook. Pairing a Chromebook with a hotspot provides greater assurance that the patron will be able to successfully connect to the internet and complete desired computing tasks.

Accompanying these kits with specialized and simple instructions address an important element of the digital divide. Not only does the kit provide connectivity and hardware, but a simple instructional sheet in the user’s preferred language can help bridge the skill gap that sometimes exists between a user and a meaningful computer experience.

Lending out a full home connectivity kit comes with slightly more steps for your library staff to engage in during check-in and checkout. Staff should ensure mice and headphones are present and in working order, instructions are intact and reprinted if needed, and materials are sanitized for the next borrower.

Resources