Montana State Library Concludes Successful Hot Spot Lending Program

• Jennie Stapp
• July 10 2025

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July 10, 2025                                                                                                     (406) 444-3116

Montana State Library Concludes Successful Hot Spot Lending Program

(HELENA)—The Montana State Library’s hot spot lending program sprang to life in the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that Montanans had more means to navigate school and business closures and stay-at-home orders.  Just prior to the pandemic, the State Library was considering a pilot to study how libraries might lend mobile-wifi hot spots to those who lack internet access at home.  With no time to study and an immediate need, the State Library, and libraries around Montana, launched head-long into a new service that quickly became a lifeline for many Montanans.

Mobile wi-fi hot spots allow people to access the internet through home computers and other devices by making use of cellular data.  With COVID relief funds appropriated through the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the State Library purchased hot spots and cellular data plans and then provided the hot spots to participating libraries to lend to their patrons. 

“Libraries have been providing patrons access to the internet through public access computers since the late 1990s,” said State Librarian, Jennie Stapp. “We knew libraries in other states lent hot spots, so we were confident we could fill an important need.”  At the height of the pandemic, libraries were circulating more than 1000 hot spots in 54 Montana counties. 

The State Library asked library patrons to voluntarily report about their experience using hot spots.  49% of patrons reported using hot spots for work or school related tasks. Others used hot spots to stay connected with family and friends, to attend telehealth appointments, and to fill out government forms. 

 “We were blown away when a minister told us she used hot spots to livestream funerals to family members who could not travel.  We also know that hot spots were used at COVID-19 vaccination clinics where the internet was not available,” Stapp said.

 Demand for hot spots has declined somewhat, but the need for the service remains, especially in areas not well served by broadband internet today.  37 libraries serving 33 counties are choosing to continue to offer this service to their communities with local funds after the State Library fully expended the federal and state monies used to fund the program. These libraries serve approximately 30,000 Montana households without current internet service.

 “My library board feels we need to offer hot spots to serve people who have a need for internet connectivity,” said Jacque Scott, Director of the Carnegie Public Library in Big Timber. “Our Friends of the Library is willing to fund this need for our community.”

Looking back on the last five years, the State Library is proud to know it made difference when it mattered most and that through its work with local libraries, many Montanans continue to benefit from the hot spot lending program.  Visit Montana State Library Hot Spot Lending Program to learn more of the history of hot spot use in Montana and which libraries will continue to lend hot spots. The website will be updated once the data from the prior fiscal year is finalized and local transitions are completed.

The Montana State Library (MSL) provides information, resources, and guidance to organizations, communities, and residents of Montana to help them expand their knowledge and empower their decisions. Our leading-edge data and applications help those seeking answers about Montana’s government, natural resources, heritage, land ownership, and more while our vital services improve public libraries and provide reading materials to those with disabilities. For more information, visit www.msl.mt.gov.

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