Mobile WiFi hotspots are easy to use and give you a wireless connection to the internet. Just turn it on, and you are ready to go. With a hotspot, you can use your laptop, tablet, and phone to surf the internet, shop on your favourite website, do online banking, download movies and music from the Library and more.
We would like to thank the Mayor and Town Council of Georgina for their support of this initiative.
What is a hotspot? |
A hotspot is a device the size of a deck of cards that provides WiFi internet access. |
Who can checkout a hotspot? |
Hotspots may be borrowed by GPL cardholders of at least 16 years of age, in good standing. It is one hotspot per household. Don't have a library card? Contact us. Please note: short term, institutional, and online cardholders are not eligible to borrow hotspots. |
How much does it cost to borrow a hotspot? |
It is absolutely free. There are no fees for the device or the data plan. If the device or any parts are missing when it is returned, a fee will be charged to your library account. While we are currently fine free, hotspots are subject to the usual charges for lost or damaged materials. If you lose or damage the hotspot, case, wall charger, charging cable, or SIM card, the following charges will be added to your account:
As the borrower, you are responsible for the hotspot. Please do not loan out the hotspot to anyone outside of your household. |
Which branches have hotspots? |
Keswick, Pefferlaw, Peter Gzowski (Sutton) and Discovery branches have hotspots to lend. |
Can I place a hold on a hotspot? |
Yes, you can place a hold on a hotspot. You will find hotspots listed in our catalogue under "Mobile Wifi Hotspot". |
Can I reserve a hotspot for a specific date? |
Unfortunately our hotspots are first-come, first-served. While you are able to place a hold on a hotspot, we are unable to guarantee when a hotspot will become available for you. |
How do I checkout a hotspot? |
If there are no hotspots currently available, you will need to place a hold on a hotspot. Once your hold is ready, a staff member will notify you to pick up your hotspot during opening hours. Staff will ask you to read and sign a borrower's agreement before checkout. If you choose, you can bring a signed copy of the Borrower's Agreement to the Service Desk. Staff will walk you through how to turn on and use the hotspot. You can check out an available hotspot at any of our branches. We will have DVD display cases with a picture of a hotspot on the DVD case. If there are hotspots available to borrow, the DVD cases will be out on display. Pick up a hotspot DVD case and hand it to a staff person at the Service Desk. The staff member will retrieve a hotspot for you. Included in your hotspot kit is a hotspot, wall charger, charging cable, Quick Start Guide, and case. |
How long can I borrow a hotspot? |
You can borrow a hotspot for 21 days. You can get free internet access with the hotspot during that time. There are many people waiting to borrow a hotspot, so please return the hotspot on time. The hotspot will stop giving you access to the internet within 24 hours after the date the hotspot is due back to the library. You can renew a hotspot if no one else is waiting to borrow it. To renew a hotspot, log into your account or visit any of our branches. Please note: Hotspots should be kept at room temperature, and should not be left outside or in vehicles. |
Where can I return the hotspot? |
Because we don't want the hotspot to get damaged, please do not put the hotspot in the book return. Instead, return the hotspot to a staff member at the Service Desk during our opening hours. |
How many devices can I connect to the hotspot? |
You can connect up to 15 devices. The strength of the hotspot signal may become weaker depending how many devices are connected and how they are being used e.g. streaming movies, online gaming, and more. |
What can I do with the hotspot? |
You can use the hotspot to connect to your device to enjoy the internet, send email, watch movies online, listen to music, play online games, and connect with family and friends via apps like Skype, FaceTime, and more. |
How do I start using the hotspot? |
Charging the hotspot: When the “low battery” message appears on the display screen, the hotspot will need to be charged. Connect the USB cable to the hotspot charging port and plug the two-pronged charging adapter into a standard AC outlet. When the hotspot is powered off, it will take about three (3) hours to fully charge. Please read the user guide included with the hotspot. |
What coverage does the hotspot have? |
The hotspots have an unlimited data plan and service is available only in Ontario. |
Can I use the hotspot to send/receive text messages? |
Texting/SMS messaging is not available. |
What information, if any, is tracked by Georgina Public Library? |
Privacy: We care about your privacy when you use a hotspot. Because the Mobile WiFi hotspot program is an “opt-in” service, we want you to understand what information about your internet usage is tracked or used:
The only information we collect about the Mobile WiFi hotspot program is:
We do not allow the ISP to use ad-targeting programs ("super cookies") to identify you or track your internet usage. The ISP has its own privacy policies and may not follow ours. Security: The Library assumes no responsibility for the security and privacy of on-line transactions, including credit card numbers, online banking information, and passwords. Parents or guardians, not the Library Board nor staff, are responsible for their children's access to the internet. Please read the Public Access to Computers and Internet Policy. Borrowers of the Library's hotspots are responsible for the protection of their devices from viruses, spyware and spam by having up-to-date anti-virus software, firewalls, etc. |
The hotspot has prompted me to update the software. What should I do? |
The hotspot periodically receives software updates from the service provider. You can go ahead and accept the update. The software upgrade should only take a few minutes. |
I received a hotspot that looks different from the one I received before. Is this new? |
The library regularly assesses our hotspot devices and consults with our Internet Service Provider (ISP) to offer the best hotspot service to our patrons. From time to time, we may upgrade our devices to reflect changes in the hotspot market. Updated instructions will be be included when a device is upgraded. |
Got questions? |
If you have a question or need help, email or call any of our branches. Our friendly staff will be glad to assist you. Or contact eServices Support. |
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