T-Mobile
Portal Assistance : 800-307-0340
Device Troubleshooting : 844-341-4834 (staff and patrons)
Replace lost/stolen/broken equipment : 423-497-1793 (Giselle Torres)
Pintrac MDM
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has distributed over 3000 hotspots to approximately 220 public libraries for loan to library users.
MBLC is providing the hotspot devices and will cover the cost of the internet service / data plan through the end of September 2022. Libraries may elect to take over the ongoing costs when funding ends. Hotspot lending is on track to begin by mid August, 2021.
Please continue to check here for progress, guidance regarding device set-up, use, and troubleshooting; marketing materials; example circulation policies/templates; hotspot program FAQs, etc.
Funded through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the hotspot lending program focuses on IMLS' primary goal for these funds, digital inclusion.
Program Timeline
| Dates | Activities |
|---|---|
|
May 12 – 26, 2021 |
Survey to Assess Library Interest - CompleteMBLC released a survey to all public library directors requesting information on current hotspot lending, cellular services in the library's service area, and interest in participation in the new program. 307 of 369 (83%) libraries responsed. Of those, 93% were very or somewhat interested. |
|
June 1 - July 15, 2021 |
Vendor Selection and Contracting - CompleteMBLC analyzed the survey results to determine how many hotspots to procure in total, whether a single vendor or multiple vendors will be necessary, and approximately how many hotspots will be allocated to each library. |
|
June 14, 2021 |
Q&A with MBLC - CompleteMBLC ran a Q&A sessions to discuss the program with libraries considering participation. |
|
June 7 -24, 2021 |
Formal Request for Participation - CompleteLibraries completed a brief form confirming their wish to participate and certify that they will abide by the program rules. |
|
Late June, 2021 |
Notification to Each ParticipantMBLC will notify each partipating library about the number of hotspots, the vendor selected for that city/town, and the estimated delivery date. |
|
July 15 - , 2021 |
Hotspots Delivered to LibrariesT-Mobile / Franklin T9 hotspots and cases begin shipping on or around Thursday, July 15th. |
|
July / August, 2021 |
Orientation and TrainingLibraries will receive initial training to help them prepare to circulate hotspots. Initial presentations from scheduled T-Mobile and Franklin Wireless on: July 29th at 1pm, August 3rd at 11am, and August 4th at 3pm |
|
Late Summer 2021 – September 2022 |
Libraries continue to lend hotspotsLibraries circulate hotspots. Circulation figures will be reported as part of normal ARIS data collection. |
|
October 1, 2022 |
Libraries keep hotspots or return to MBLCMBLC will no longer pay for mobile hotspot data plans or monthly equipment costs, if any, after September, 2022. The ARPA funds supporting this program through IMLS must be expended by this deadline. |