Amongst the thousands of books, videos and CDs at the three Chula Vista library branches, card holders can now check out WIFI Hotspots, a palm-sized device that provides wireless Internet access.
Hotspots can be borrowed for up to seven days and can be requested and reserved like other library materials, through the library’s online catalog at www.chulavistalibrary.comwith the keyword “hotspots.” The devices are used free of charge.
“The hotspots allow anyone who is using it to access the internet,” said Enie Barros, branch manager of the Chula Vista Public Library.
The hotspot program is funded by a San Diego Gas & Electric grant to the library, under auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.
Anyone can checkout a hotspot device at any of the three Chula Vista libarary branches as long as the person is in good standing with their library card for 30 days. Each library branch has five devices on deck.
The Civic Center branch is at 365 F St; South Chula Vista branch is located at 389 Orange Ave and Otay Ranch branch is in the Otay Ranch Town Center, 2015 Birch Road #409.
The hotspots only work within the United States and text messaging is not available.
Upon checkout, library card holders must sign an agreement that basically outlines terms and conditions, and explains that card holder must pay $90 if hotspot is lost stolen or damaged. The library charges $10 for each day its overdue.
The libraries have had the hotspot devices for a little more than a month and Barrios said he can already see the impact its having in the community.
“They are pretty popular,” he said. “People are checking them out. Especially in this area people are trying to save a little cash and it helps out that for an emergency they can check these out to get on the net to apply for a job and do whatever they need for school,” he said. “The Internet is expensive to get on to and people don’t have the money to get on the net sometimes… This is a good way for people to access the net free of charge.”
Hotspots do not come with any safety mechanisms. Berros said it is difficult to put a safety mechanism on a hotspot device to check what people are browsing the Internet.
