Long-Term Device Lending Program

Baltimore County Public Library is pleased to offer a service for qualified customers to borrow either a Wi-Fi enabled Chromebook, a high-speed 5G Hotspot, or both for up to six months. This program is designed to reach adult customers who have unmet digital connectivity needs to help close the digital divide in Baltimore County.

Eligibility 

This program is available to any adult customer who:

  • Does not have a suitable device for internet connectivity at home
  • Has a library card in good standing
  • Is a Baltimore County resident

If you do not have a Baltimore County Public Library card, you can sign up for an e-card number, which can be used to access the library's electronic resources, prior to applying. Due to grant limitations, customers must live within Baltimore County boundaries. Customers outside of the County boundaries can contact the LTL Support number at 410-887-0932 to get information on other connectivity programs.

Lending Details

These devices can be borrowed for 90 days with one 90-day renewal period. At that point, they must be returned or they will be disabled.

  • For hotspots—There is a limit of one per household, regardless of the number of eligible adults living at the same address. Each hotspot has a limit of 10 devices that can connect to it.
  • For Chromebooks—Each adult cardholder in good standing in a household can borrow a device. Do not request Chromebooks for children. Chromebooks are set up so that children who are Baltimore County Public School students can also log on to the devices using their BCPS credentials.

How to Apply

To apply for devices, complete the Long-Term Lending application form. If the application is approved, the Long-Term Lending team will be in contact to confirm the pick-up branch and the expected delivery date.

Picking Up and Returning Devices

Once approved for the program, customers can pick up their devices at the customer service desk of their indicated branch. A valid ID and library card number are required at time of pickup.

Return the devices to any Baltimore County Public Library branch’s service desk. Do not put devices in drop boxes or return slots.

Using Long-Term Loan Devices

By borrowing a Long-Term Loan device, you agree to the following terms of acceptable use.

Baltimore County Public Library (“BCPL”) manages Long-Term Loan hotspots and Chromebooks as part of BCPL’s services to support empowered and engaged individuals for a more inclusive and connected Baltimore County community. BCPL is not responsible for the access or transmission of files, data or personal information while using the devices. These devices can only be borrowed by adult (18+) customers with a library card in good standing who are living in Baltimore County and who do not have access to equipment or services sufficient to access the internet. Off-premises use of Long-Term Loan hotspots and Chromebooks must be primarily for educational purposes.  Educational purposes are defined as functions that are integral, immediate, and proximate to the provision of library services to library customers.  This means that Long-Term Loan devices directly support learning, research, or other educational activities and are loaned in a manner that directly benefits library users.  

BCPL uses a technology protection measure, or a filtering service, on its Internet-enabled electronic devices. Hotspots and Chromebooks in the Long-Term Lending Program have content and user network restrictions that are consistent with those used on the library's building-based networks. This includes filtering in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) that restricts access to certain types of content or websites, ensuring a safe and productive online environment for all users. This applies to both on-premises and off-premises use of Long-Term Loan hotspots and Chromebooks. Technology protection measures are not 100% accurate and may allow access to inappropriate sites. Parents and guardians of children under the age of 18 are responsible for their children's use of the Internet.

Borrowers are responsible for the device while it is loaned to them. Borrowers will be responsible for paying standard replacement costs for lost or stolen devices. Replacement devices will not be provided. Separate replacement fees apply for lost or damaged accessories, charging equipment, and packaging. A listing of all fees can be found on BCPL’s website.

Unauthorized or illegal use of BCPL’s electronic devices is prohibited. Such usage may result in revocation of electronic device and/or Internet use privileges, general library privileges, and/or constitute grounds for civil or criminal prosecution. Baltimore County Public Library and its affiliates, employees or agents have no responsibility for the content accessed, or actions taken using the electronic device and shall not be liable for any damages of any kind. 

Web Filters

Funding rules for this program require that we have web filters in place to comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA). The web filter is managed by a third party that has determined which sites are not suitable for minors. The filters cannot be adjusted.

Hotspot Speeds and Data Usage

Our Long-Term Lending team verifies that your location has service coverage, but cannot guarantee speeds or uptime. Devices also have varying speed capabilities and may connect to different networks depending on the technology. Even with coverage areas and with broadband-capable devices, your service area, network availability, coverage, speeds and quality may vary based on a few factors:

  • Interruptions and outages
  • Network capacity and changes
  • Obstructions
  • Public safety needs
  • Signal strength
  • Technical limitations
  • Terrain
  • Traffic volumes
  • Weather

Common Activities and Approximate Usage

While these hotspots have unlimited data, the provider will slow speeds toward the end of the data term if more than 50GB of data has been used. Review approximate data usage for the common activities listed below and adjust your activity accordingly to remain below the threshold. Note: There are 1000 megabytes (MB) in one gigabyte (GB).

Activity Data Usage

Browsing social media

 

 90 to 156 MB/hour
Browsing the internet
(Online shopping/reading news)		 60 MB/hour
Facetime 180 MB/hour
Listening to music 10.8 to 144 MB/hour (Depending on quality)
Zoom/Webex meetings 1 GB/hour
Netflix

1 GB/hour (Standard definition)

3 GB/hour (High definition)
YouTube

1.5 GB/hour (1080p definition)

2.7 GB/hour (4K definition)

Lost or Stolen Devices

We cannot replace lost or stolen Chromebooks or hotspots. Please email longtermloans@bcpl.net to let us know of the situation so that we can disable the device and remove it from your account.

Troubleshooting and Technical Assistance

If you still have issues or questions, contact the Long-Term Lending team using one of these methods: