/usr/web/www.marshallindependent.com/wp-content/themes/coreV2/single.php
×

Marshall-Lyon County Library offers Internet hotspots

The Marshall-Lyon County Library (MLCL) announces a new offering, mobile Internet hotspots. A mobile Internet hotspot uses cellular access to create a Wi-Fi connection, allowing people to connect to the Internet where there is not typically strong, or any, Wi-Fi access.

“Due to the current health crisis, and the closure of schools, many students, and others, have been left without access to the Internet. If they live out in the country, reliable and fast Internet may not even be an option,” said Director Michele Leininger. “These hotspots help overcome that connectivity hurdle, particularly for kids who have their school devices this summer.”

The Minnesota State Library, a division of the Minnesota Department of Education, created a connectivity grant for libraries across the state, dividing the money with a formula that included the number of people who currently have access, as well as the available speed of Internet connectivity in each of the state’s 12 Regional Libraries. Plum Creek was awarded $8,900, which partially used federal funding (CFDA 45.310, Library Services and Technology Act (LS-00-19-0024-19) Grants to States) for the grants. Each Plum Creek Library has received four hotspots with connectivity paid for one year. These hotspots join five others previously purchased by the Friends of the Marshall Lyon County Library last fall as a pilot project.

Hotspots can be checked out by any library card holder in good standing. They may not be placed on hold, but are available on a first come, first serve basis. Since they are a limited resource, they are checked out for only one week and cannot be renewed.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.38/week.

Subscribe Today