Sarasota libraries will lend internet access through mobile hotspots
Sarasota County Libraries is rolling out a program later this year that will allow people to check out mobile hotspots at its 10 branches. Andrea Taylor
Sarasota County Libraries is rolling out a program later this year that will let people check out the internet right alongside the latest best seller.
Starting in early December, each of the library system’s 10 branches will have 11 mobile hotspots available to be checked out. The devices are currently being cataloged, programed and packaged with instructional materials.
The library is going to do a round of testing on the devices and should have them ready shortly after Thanksgiving.
The program cost $16,000 and was paid for using money from the system’s endowment.
A mobile hot spot allows a user to access Wi-Fi using cellular data. While people traveling or working away from an office use them to get Wi-Fi service, hotspots give people lacking access to basic internet service the ability to get online.
“Libraries do play a big role in helping bridge the digital divide,” said Renee DiPilato, director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources. “I think in the beginning we were one of the first entities to offer free computer use and then we added wireless access at our libraries. And the next iteration of that is lending that access.”
The need for the library to offer hot spots became apparent in March when libraries were forced to close because of the pandemic.
Even though the library buildings were shut down, reference services were open. The biggest request from people who called or messaged was internet access and computers, DiPilato said.
Equipment wasn’t going to be available until they opened back up, but the library kept the Wi-Fi on and people sat in cars or on benches outside library building to use it.
She said other library systems in Florida and nationwide already have hotspot programs. The need she saw during the pandemic brought home that it was necessary Sarasota start one as well.
“We really understood that there was a demand for people to be able to have access to the internet to apply for jobs, benefits etc.,” DiPilato said. “We thought, ‘Wow. Mobile hotspots would be perfect this day and age.’ If our facilities happened to be closed again, for whatever reason, we can at least lend these hotspots for additional internet access.”