Mobile Hotspot Lending Policy

Amended, Library Board of Trustees, September 20, 2022 (replaces COVID temporary policy)
Mobile Hotspot Lending Policy PDF

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. Users are subject to the library’s Internet Use Policy where applicable.

Eligibility

  • Hotspots are available to adult East Greenbush/Schodack resident cardholders with accounts in good standing.  Online cards and MyCards are not accepted.
  • One hotspot can be checked out per household.
  • After checking in a hotspot, a borrower must wait at least 24 hours before checking out a hotspot again.

Patron Responsibilities

  • 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 Circulation Staff.
  • The user will not tamper with the hotspot (hardware and software), or attempt to open, repair or modify the hotspot in any way.
  • A daily overdue fee will be charged for a hotspot that is not returned.
  • Service will be disconnected within 48 hours of a hotspot becoming overdue.
  • Patrons are responsible for replacement costs if the hotspot or any parts are lost, stolen, damaged, or not returned.
  • If a hotspot is reconfigured or reset by a borrower, a fee will be assessed.

Library Responsibilities

  • 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.

Borrower Privacy

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.

Policy History

Approved, June 27, 2020 (COVID temporary policy)
Draft Revisions presented to Services Committee for discussion April 4, 2022 (make policy permanent)
Recommended by Service Committee May 5, 2022
Amended, Library Board of Trustees, September 20, 2022 (replaces COVID temporary policy)

Return to Policies
Subject East Greenbush Card UHLS Card UHLS MyCard
Library Card Registration Free 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 Borrowed Unlimited checkouts Unlimited checkouts Limited total items: Can only have 3 items checked out on their card at a time
Types of Items All 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 Content EGRN and UHLS subscription databases and digital content UHLS subscription databases and digital content Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Interlibrary Loan Nationwide UHLS Libraries UHLS Libraries
Program Registration Unlimited except by limited program capacity Preference given to resident cardholders Preference given to resident cardholders