Hot Spot Lending Program
Attention! The information on this page is migrating to the Montana State Library Knowledge Base (KB).Please check the KB if this page does not provide the information you need.
Hot Spot Program
Circulation Statistics for non-MSC Libraries
Non-MSC Library Usage Statistics Reporting
Non-MSC libraries participating in the mobile hotspot lending program use this form to report usage statistics. To report multiple months, please click "Submit another response" after clicking submit.
Example Circulation Policies/Templates for Hot Spot Programs
Missoula Public Library Circulation Policy
Lincoln County Library Borrower Agreement (docx for editing)
Arizona State Library User Agreement Template
Pg. 9 and 10 of this PDF have a template user agreement that you could adapt for your library
Maine State Library - Questions to Consider for a Hot Spot Lending Program
This resource is especially useful for if your library would like to continue the hot spot program beyond the pilot project time period.
Template for Directions on How to Connect to Mobile Hot Spots (docx for editing)
Template for Patron Hot Spot Directions/Troubleshooting (docx for editing)
Example Policies for Laptops/Devices for Checkout
Wedsworth Memorial Library Electronic Device Agreement (.docx)
Valier Public Library Laptop Checkout Policy (.docx)
UProvidence Laptop Checkout Form (.docx)
Stillwater County Library (.docx)
Jefferson County Chromebook Agreement (pdf)
ImagineIF Tech Connect User Agreement (pdf)
Great Falls Laptop Checkout Policy (.docx)
Great Falls Laptop Checkout Agreement (.docx)
Belgrade Laptop Policy and Agreement (.docx)
Suggested Check-In Procedures
For all devices, it is recommended that you tape the battery door shut to prevent a missing battery or SIM card tampering. When the hot spots are checked in, we strongly recommend that library staff check to make sure the hot spot SIM card is still present and that the SIM card number is the correct one for that device. You might want to add "Check for battery" and "check that the correct SIM card is in the device" to your list. If a hot spot is returned with a missing, damaged, or incorrect SIM card, please report that to MSL so that we can issue a replacement SIM card.
Suggested Overdue Procedures for Hot Spots
If a patron doesn’t return a hot spot to the library by the due date, we recommend giving them a 3-day grace period to return the device. After that time, you can:
- Suspend the respective T-Mobile or Verizon hotspot using your library's hotspot management account. If your library doesn't have one or if you have other inquiries about a hotspot management account, please create a support request.
- Suspend the hotspot through MSL Support by creating a support request.
Select Statewide Projects > Hotspot Lending Program. Then write a subject (title) and description. Providing the hotspots Line # is usually enough to discern the specific hotspot to be suspended. If the Line # is not known, a combination of Device IMEI # and/or SIM # will work.
Suspending a hotspot will pause all data usage on the hotspot, often prompting the hotspot to be returned. When the device is returned, ensure its suspension is reverted. To unsuspend a hotspot either access your respective management account or create a support request to undo the suspension. Once confirmed that the hotspot has active data usage, it can then go back into circulation.
Cancel/Remove Hotspot: Lost, Stolen, Broken
If a hot spot is not returned or damaged, potential replacement steps can be discussed by submitting a library services support request. A replacement request should be submitted to the Montana State Library. Hotspot replacement and associated costs are dependent on availability.
Select "Submit a Library Services support request" > Statewide Projects > Hotspot Lending Program. Then write a subject (title) and description. Including line details for the lost/damaged hotspot within the description is encouraged.
Hot Spot Device Tracking and Record-Keeping
In order to suspend an overdue hot spot or cancel service on a lost or broken hot spot, the State Library must provide certain information to T-Mobile or Verizon. In order to facilitate cancellations and suspensions, we ask that libraries keep track of the following information for their hot spots:
For T-Mobile hot spots, please keep track of the SIM or IMEI number for each device.
For Verizon hot spots, please keep track of the phone number, username, SIM, or IMEI number for each device.
Fines and Fees with Hot Spots
The State Library prefers that libraries do not charge overdue fines on the mobile hotspots. We recognize that local policy may mean the library needs to charge an overdue fine equivalent to what is charged for physical materials. For Montana Shared Catalog libraries, fine options are:
No fines
10 cents per day
$1.00 per day
How to Set-Up and Use the Hot Spots (T-Mobile and Verizon)
T-Mobile Directions for Franklin T-9 Set-Up and Use (video)
T-Mobile Directions for Franklin T-9 Set-Up and Use (PDF)
T-Mobile Directions for Alcatel LINKZONE Set-Up and Use (website)
T-Mobile Directions for Alcatel LINKZONE Set-Up and Use (PDF)
Verizon Directions for Set-Up and Use
Hot Spot Quick Guides for Library Patrons (T-Mobile and Verizon)
T-Mobile Franklin T9 User Guide (Word)
T-Mobile Franklin T9 User Guide (PDF)
T-Mobile Alcatel Linkzone User Guide (Word)
T-Mobile Alcatel Linkzone User Guide (PDF)
Verizon Jetpack User Guide (Word)
Verizon Jetpack User Guide (PDF)
Hot Spot Accessories that may be Useful
Spare charging cords for your hot spot devices can be purchased from Amazon as well as discountcell.com.
Verizon devices will work with a USB Type C charger.
The two different types of T-Mobile devices require different charging cables:
The Franklin T9 hot spots will work with a Micro USB charging cable (similar to the type used with an Android cell phone).
The Alcatel Linkzone hot spots work with a USB C cable.
You may want to consider purchasing cases for your hot spots to prevent wear and tear. Verizon hot spots are pretty durable and don’t necessarily require a case. If you would like cases for T-Mobile devices, T-Mobile recommends these cases available on Amazon.
How to Report Hot Spot Issues
T-Mobile Hotspots:
For general assistance and troubleshooting, the T-Mobile libraries can contact T-Mobile Government Support at 1-877-347-2127 . Anyone can call this number--libraries or patrons.
If you have more serious issues that can't be resolved, please contact MSL staff by submitting a library services support request.
Select "Submit a Library Services support request" > Statewide Projects > Hotspot Lending Program. Then write a subject (title) and description. Including line details for the hotspot in question is encouraged.
Verizon Hotspots:
For any issues, please contact MSL staff by submitting a library services support request.
Select "Submit a Library Services support request" > Statewide Projects > Hotspot Lending Program. Then write a subject (title) and description. Including line details for the hotspot in question is encouraged.
How Do I Perform a Factory Reset?
A common solution to many connectivity and hotspot operational issues is to perform a Factory Reset. This will reset all of the device’s settings to the default values, including admin passwords, Wi-Fi name (SSID), and system settings. There are different methods to perform a factory reset depending on the hotspot model you are using.
T-Mobile Franklin T-9
Remove the back cover. Make sure the battery is installed and your T9 is on. Press down the reset button for 3 seconds and release. Then, your T9 will perform the reset and restart automatically. (For further information, please click here.)
T-Mobile Alcatel Linkzone 2
Press Reset key for 3 seconds to reset device. All LED indicators will flash blue 2 times to indicate that the device has been reset to factory mode. (For further information, please click here.)
Verizon Jetpack MiFi 8800L
The master reset button is in a small hole located on the bottom of the Jetpack, underneath the battery cover. Place one end of an unfolded paper clip into the master reset button hole. Press the reset button with the unfolded paper clip until the display shows "MiFi Powering Off" (about five to six seconds), then your Jetpack will restart. (For further information, please click here.)
What If a Hot Spot Says It's Out of Data?
The T-Mobile Franklin T-9 hot spots have a 20GB data limit set by default. This limit is set in the configuration settings and can be increased through the web interface for your T-9 hot spots.
Connect to the hot spot with a computer or phone, then navigate to the hot spot management page: http://mobile.hotspot/.com Enter your password for the device and login. The default password is “admin” after which you will be prompted to change it. Select the “Settings” tab. Choose the “Device” menu option, then select “Data Usage”. There is an entry box where you can set the Usage Limit. Set this to 500GB, which should be sufficient for each month. Select “Save Changes”. If you ever run into an issue with reaching the data limit, simply select a larger data limit.
Editable Marketing Templates for Hot Spot Outreach
Hot Spot Marketing Flyer (Grayscale)Hot Spot Marketing Flyer (Color)
Facebook and Instagram Templates
Press Release Template (DOCX)
Montana Library Marketing Examples
Lincoln County Library - Facebook Post
Lincoln County Library - Flyer 1
Lincoln County Library - Flyer 2
Lincoln County Library - Hot Spot Inserts
Evaluation Surveys for the Hot Spot Program
Please print out paper copies of the survey and give them to patrons who participate in the program. Please enter the paper survey responses into the online survey - link listed below.
Hot Spot Patron Survey - English (PDF)
Hot Spot Patron Survey - Spanish (PDF)
Hot Spot Patron Survey - Online
Funding Sources
The initial setup of the Montana State Library hot spot lending program was funded by the following organizations in 2020:
Thank you to our funders for making this project a possibility!
