Montclair Library Loans WiFi Hotspots To Seniors Without Internet

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Are you a senior without internet access in Montclair? The solution may be as close as your local library.

On Thursday, the Montclair Public Library announced that it will begin loaning wifi hotspots to seniors without internet access.

Working in partnership with the township, the library bought 20 mobile hotspots using federal CARES Act funding. The devices can be borrowed by seniors residing in Montclair who don’t have internet access at home. Devices can be borrowed for 28 days with three possible renewals, for a potential total loan period of 112 days.

The library can arrange to deliver a wireless hotspot and/or other items in its collection to seniors through its Home Assisted Services (HAS) program. The Library can also provide limited technical assistance and troubleshooting to help seniors set up the device and get online.

For more information about borrowing a wireless hotspot, email reference@montclairlibrary.org or call 973-744-0500, ext. 2234.

“We hope these hotspots will help our seniors stay connected,” Library Director Peter Coyl said. “Reliable internet has proven to be such an important part of life with the pandemic and it’s important for our seniors to have access to the outside world.”

Here are just a sample of the things that local seniors can do with a hotspot:

• participate in video calls with family and friends
• enroll in online courses such as those provided by the Montclair Institute for Lifelong Learning (MILL) and the library’s Adult School
• complete online deliveries
• register for a COVID-19 vaccine

The library also loans additional wireless hotspots, as well as Chromebook laptops, to all age groups, administrators pointed out.

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