Edmonton Public Library lets you take home the internet

When you think of checking something out of a library, what comes to mind?

Moby-Dick perhaps? Or Harry Potter, or maybe even Ulysses if you're into making your head hurt.

Of course, the Edmonton Public Library also loan movies, music, e-books and more.

But now, when you walk out of a library branch, you could be carrying literature in one hand and the World Wide Web in the other. 

This week, Edmonton libraries began lending Wi-Fi hotspots with unlimited data to holders of library cards.It's the beginning of a two-year pilot program.

Pilar Martinez, the library's chief executive officer, said the service is targeting the 116,000 Edmontonians who don't have home internet access. 

This innovative program will provide a key tool for access to learning and information to those who need it most.- Pilar Martinez

"EPL is committed to providing people the skills and support they need to participate in the digital world," said Martinez in a news release. "This innovative program will provide a key tool for access to learning and information to those who need it most."

Toronto libraries started a similar initiative last year. In January, the public library in Kitchener, Ont. took home an innovative initiative award for its internet-lending program.  

A natural extension

Vicky Varga, the Edmonton library's manager of informatoin technology customer service, said the program is just an extension of the services already being offered.

"We've had the public computers in our branches for well over a decade now, so this is an expansion for the same purpose as that," Varga said. "We're providing and democratizing the internet for those who may not have easy access in their own homes."

The hotspot devices are cellphone-sized, simple to use, and designed to work with computers that don't have a wireless card.

The library has 40 of the devices. They can be borrowed for up to three weeks and renewed twice if there aren;'t any existing holds.

If the hotspot isn't returned by its due date, the user will be charged the full $210 cost of the hotspot. However, when the user does bring the hotspot back, that charge will be removed. The user will then pay $1 for each day the device was overdue. 

Even though the lending only started on Wednesday, Varga said the demand has already been high, with library members placing 20 holds on the devices in the first hour. 

Varga says she hopes the initiative will help people. She said one of the uses could come from helping people find employment. It could also be used by others, such as seniors, who want to try out the internet before committing to a plan. 

However, she's certain that, much like the internet, the possibilities are essentially endless.

"I'm sure our customers will have all sorts of ideas that we haven't considered."

Library membership is free.