Skip to main content

Hotspot & Laptop FAQ

The Laurel-Jones County Library System now offers both hotspots and laptops for checkout to Jones County residents over the age of 18 with library accounts in good standing.

 

Hotspots:

The Laurel-Jones County Library System T-Mobile Hotspot is an easy-to-use, mobile hotspot that connects your tablet, laptop, and other Wi-Fi–enabled devices to the Internet.

You can connect up to 10 devices to 4G LTE and 3G networks. Visit the T-Mobile Coverage Map (http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage-map.html) for your area to confirm coverage. The Laurel-Jones County Library System (LJCLS) cannot guarantee coverage.

What do I need to know?

How do I check out the device?
Stop by either LJCLS branch with your up-to-date library card and check it out just like any other item.

Who can check it out?
Adult Jones County residents with a valid LJCLS library card can borrow an LJCLS T-Mobile Hotspot. We are unable to lend hotspots to out-of-county residents, regardless of if they have a library card or not, at this time.

How long can I keep it?
You can borrow it for up to 4 months (or until December 28, 2023, as funding allow). Overdue hotspots will have Internet access deactivated within 24 hours beyond their due date.

Can I use the hotspot to send/receive text messages?
No. Texting/SMS messaging is not available.

What is a hotspot? What can I do with it?
The hotspot allows you to connect Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the internet. The device is portable so you can connect from almost anywhere: at home, on the bus, in the park, and more. Our hotspots are for educational purposes only. They are not able to be used for streaming services, such as Netflix or Hulu. They also contain an internet filter. As of checkout, they are CIPA compliant.

How do I return it?
You can return the hotspot to any LJCLS branch (do not put it in the book drop), just like other items. You must return the device, fully charged, with all the original packaging and accessories.

Can I renew it?
Renewals are currently not permitted on hotspots.

How much does it cost?
Borrowing and using the device is free! It is a $1.00 per day late fee. If the device is lost or damaged beyond repair, you will be charged the full price of the hotspot ($336).

What information about my Internet usage, if any, is tracked by the library?
Internet is provided by T-Mobile’s network and not the library’s network. Use of the Hotspot is subject to T-Mobile’s Acceptable Use Policy, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Use, all of which are available at T-Mobile’s website.

LJCLS is not responsible for any files, data, or personal information accessed/transmitted using the Hotspot.

The Hotspot program is an opt-in service, so the ISP is not bound to the library’s patron privacy policies. LJCLS 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 is (a) the total amount of data transmitted and received by each device during a billing cycle, (b) anonymous circulation data related to checkouts of the hotspot devices.

What if I don’t return the device?
Failure to return the device on time will result in the hotspot being turned off and a fine of $1 per day being charged to your library account. After 30 days, you will be charged the full price of the device ($336). After 60 days, your account will be sent to our collection agency and an additional collections fee ($18) will be applied to your account as well.

For technical support with the hotspot, contact T-Mobile at 1-844-361-1310 (7:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. CST) or 1-800-937-8997 (before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:30 p.m.). The library is not able to answer any technical questions about the device.

 

Laptops:

The Laurel-Jones County Library System Chromebook Laptop is an easy-to-use, mobile laptop that runs on the Google system and is a Wi-Fi–enabled device.

Visit the T-Mobile Coverage Map (http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage-map.html) for your area to confirm coverage. The Laurel-Jones County Library System (LJCLS) cannot guarantee coverage.

What do I need to know?

How do I check out the device?
Stop by either LJCLS branch with your up-to-date Library card and check it out just like any other item.

Who can check out it out?
Adult (18+) Jones County residents with a valid LJCLS Library card can borrow a LJCLS Chromebook Laptop. We are currently unable to lend laptops to out-of-county residents, regardless of if they have a Library card.

How long can I keep it?
You can borrow it up to two (2) weeks. Overdue laptops will have Internet access deactivated within 24 hours beyond their due date, the laptop will be remotely disabled, all information erased, and will no longer be usable.

How do I return it?
You can return the laptop to any LJCLS branch (do not put in the book drop), just like other items. You must return the device, fully charged, with all the original packaging and accessories.

Can I renew it?
Renewals are currently not permitted on laptops.

What information about my Internet usage, if any, is tracked by the Library?
Internet is provided by T-Mobile’s network and not the Library’s network. Use of the Laptop is subject to T-Mobile’s Acceptable Use Policy, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Use, all of which are available at T-Mobile’s website. LJCLS is not responsible for any files, data, or personal information accessed/transmitted using the laptop: see Terms & Conditions for details. The laptop program is an opt-in service, and so the ISP is not bound to the Library’s patron privacy policies. LJCLS 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 is (a) the total amount of data transmitted and received by each device during a billing cycle, (b) anonymous circulation data related to checkouts of the laptop devices. Though the Library will not monitor your website usages, Google, Inc. and its cross-platform software, such as Google Chrome, can monitor usage. By having/accessing a Google account, patrons allow Google to access patron information, websites, and any other activity while accessing the Library provided laptop.

What if I don’t return the device?
Failure to return the device on time will result in the laptop being turned off and a fine of $5 per day being charged to your Library account. After 30 days, you will be charged the full price of the device ($412). After 60 days, your account will be sent to our collection agency and an additional collections fee ($18) will be applied to your account as well.

For technical support with internet connectivity, contact T-Mobile at 1-844-361-1310 (7:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. CST) or 1-800-937-8997 (before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:30 p.m.). The Library is not able to answer any technical questions about the device.

Other questions?
Please call (601) 428-4313 during regular business hours at the Laurel-Jones County Library, or email reference@laurel.lib.ms.us.