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Mobile Hotspots

The East Greenbush Community Library provides mobile hotspots for checkout to patrons for use with their personal wireless devices. A mobile hotspot is a small, portable device you can use to connect a wireless enabled device, such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet to the Internet. Please note that this service is being offered in response to the pandemic, and availability and/or policies may change at any time.

Mobile Hotspot Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can borrow a hotspot?

Hotspots are available to adult East Greenbush/Schodack resident cardholders with accounts in good standing on a first-come first-served basis. Online cards and MyCards are not accepted. Patron must present a library card or government-issued ID at checkout. Only one hotspot can be checked out per household. After checking in a hotspot, a patron must wait at least 48 hours before checking out a hotspot again.

How long can I borrow a hotspot?

Hotspots are available on a first-come first-served basis and can be checked out for three (3) days. They are not renewable.

Can I request or renew a hotspot?

Hotspots are not requestable or renewable in the catalog.  Resident borrowers may call the library at 518-477-7476 to request a hotspot for same-day pickup.

Where do I check out/return a hotspot?

Hotspots are to be checked out at the circulation desk or requested for pickup at the drive thru window.  Return hotspots directly to the welcome desk at the East Greenbush Library, confirming that the hardware is turned off.  If the library is only offering curbside service, go to the drive thru during pickup hours and request a staff member to report to the front door for a safe return.

What if something happens to the hotspot?

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 welcome desk.

Hotspot Replacement/Damage Fees:

ItemCost
Hotspot$150
Case$20
Cord/adapter$15
Total kit$185

Any attempt to reset or reconfigure the hotspot will result in a $10 reconfiguration fee.  Other damage fees will be assessed on a case by case basis.

How to I use the hotspot?
Each hotspot kit comes with a set of instructions to assist you in connecting.  If you need more help, please contact a librarian at 518-477-7476 or eglibraryinfo@eglibrary.org.
How many devices can I connect?
Up to 10 devices at a time can connect to the hotspot.  Please note that the number of users and type of internet traffic (videos vs. emails) may affect network performance.
What is the data plan?
Our hotspots have unlimited 4G LTE data plans.
How much does it cost?
Checking out a hotspot is free.  Overdue fines are $5 per day.  Data will be turned off on overdue hotspots.
What is the coverage area?
Hotspots can only be used within the US. See the Mobile Beacon coverage map
Is the library tracking user activity?

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, and
  • anonymous circulation data related to the number of checkouts of each device.

 

Disclaimer
The 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.

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SubjectEast Greenbush CardUHLS CardUHLS MyCard
Library Card RegistrationFree to any individual who resides or pays taxes in the East Greenbush Community Library taxing district or Town of Schodack. Cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Free to any individual who volunteers or works at the EGRN Library. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Free to partner educational agencies with verified employment. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Those that live outside the UHLS area may purchase a temporary card at the price established by our Table of Fines and Fees. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

Free to residents residing in a community served by a UHLS library.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

The UHLS MyCard is a fine-free, limited-access library card for youth. It is intended to address multiple barriers to serving youth and families, including:

  • Barriers to access related to fines (e.g. computer access, checking out materials)
  • Parents not present for a child’s library card registration
  • Previous fines on a child’s card

Free for youth residing in a community served by a UHLS library.Applicants 18 and under who are applying for a limited use, UHLS Youth Only MyCard, need to provide name, address, and date of birth.UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.Youth ages birth to 18 can register unaccompanied, or with the help of a caregiver or relative who is not the child’s parent/guardian.This card may be used at all UHLS Libraries except for the Colonie Town Library.

Card blocked at $10 or more in replacement costs.

No fines for late items

Limits on # of Materials BorrowedUnlimited checkoutsUnlimited checkoutsLimited total items: Can only have 3 items checked out on their card at a time
Types of ItemsAll eligible item types.All eligible item types except Museum Passes, ILL, and Hot off the Press. Active paid members of the Friends of the East Greenbush Community Library have access to all lending collections.Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Databases/Digital ContentEGRN and UHLS subscription databases and digital contentUHLS subscription databases and digital contentOnly items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Interlibrary LoanNationwideUHLS LibrariesUHLS Libraries
Program RegistrationUnlimited except by limited program capacityPreference given to resident cardholdersPreference given to resident cardholders

Notary

A notary is available during some of the hours the library is open. Please call ahead to ensure availability.

Accessibility Services

Vision

Large print books and audiobooks are available for those who find conventional print too small to read easily.

Low-vision equipment is available for magnification of print materials. Inquire at the Reference Desk.

The NYS Library maintains a free Talking Book and Braille Library service for qualified patrons.

Hearing

Assistive listening devices are available upon request for events held in the large meeting room.

Printing

Printing costs 15¢ per page for single-sided black & white, 30¢ per page for double-sided black & white and 50¢ per page for color. Wireless printing is also available in or to the library from any location, using any device. More info

Copy/Scan/Fax

A self-service color photocopier is available for public use, located outside the children’s room. The charge is $.15 per side for black & white copies and $.50 per side for color copies. Duplexing (double-sided) is available for both color and B&W.

The copier also has the ability to scan color or black & white to an email account. There is no charge to scan documents.

Sending a fax costs $1 per page.

Drive-thru

All materials, excluding “Stories to Go” kits, Library of Things items, and technology items, may be returned in the drive-thru book drop any time. Did you know you can set the drive-thru or checkout desk as your default pickup location?  Find out more