North Las Vegas Library District helps residents bridge the digital divide
The North Las Vegas Library District is expanding its digital services through Hoopla, a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot lending program, and expanded Wi-Fi in the library parking lots.
Hoopla is a digital media service that allows North Las Vegas residents, with a library card, to borrow movies, music, comics and TV shows to enjoy for free! With no waiting, titles can be streamed immediately or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline enjoyment later.
Wi-Fi to Go is our new mobile hotspot lending program. This free program provides hotspot kits to North Las Vegas residents for a 3-week checkout, allowing them to take the internet home. In today’s connected world, internet access is an integral part of everyday life. Unfortunately, Internet access is cost prohibitive for many throughout North Las Vegas. This lack of access leads to students who are unable to complete distance education and online assignments, as well as parents who can’t connect to employment opportunities or apply for the government services that their family so desperately needs. Wi-Fi to Go aims to mitigate these issues, and many others, by offering take-home internet access.
A mobile Wi-Fi hotspot is a small device that you can use to connect mobile-enabled equipment, such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, to the internet. Because hotspots create Wi-Fi connections using mobile data, you can connect the device almost anywhere there is cell phone reception – at home, the park, or on the bus! One hotspot can connect up to 10 devices. Holds may be placed on hotspots by calling the Alexander (702-633-2880) or Aliante (702-839-2980) libraries.
“We are proud to offer these programs to our residents in hopes of providing basic broadband access to everyone, including those who are struggling in the midst of this pandemic,” said North Las Vegas Library District Director Forrest Lewis. “Basic internet access can help with a plethora of things from job applications to distance learning and create opportunities that are essential to the well-being of our community.”
The Alexander and Aliante branches have also extended Wi-Fi into its parking lots. Extended Wi-Fi will allow patrons to access the Internet from the comfort of their vehicles. There is no password needed to access. Simply click on the CNLV network.