I am pleased to share that the New Ulm Public Library has added 40 Wi-Fi hotspots to its collection. These hotspots are administered by the Traverse des Sioux Regional Library (TdS), of which New Ulm Public Library is a member.

TdS received funding for these hotspots through the Emergency Connectivity Fund, part of the American Rescue Plan Act. TdS was able to purchase 1000 Wi-Fi hotspots to be distributed to interested public libraries throughout the nine-county region that it serves. Wi-Fi hotspots provide mobile wireless access to the internet for smart phones, tablets, laptops, and a number of other devices.

These Wi-Fi hotspots are immediately available to New Ulm Public Library patrons on a first come, first served basis and can be checked out for a period of three months. This extended check out period is intended to provide longer-term internet access for those who need Wi-Fi access for school or work. The pandemic has moved so much of our lives online and we want to make sure our patrons have access to the internet for all the facets of their lives that now require it.

New Ulm Public Library will still offer a small number of one-week Wi-Fi hotspot checkouts for those who just need internet access for a short period of time. These brief checkouts are great for road trips. Consider checking one out to keep your family busy in the car if you have a longer drive to see family for the holidays.

Stop by the library’s service desk if you’d like to check out a Wi-Fi hotspot. Hotspots are limited to one hotspot per household at one time and may be checked out by patrons age 18 years or older.

The library is located at 17 N. Broadway and is open to the public Monday to Thursdays 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday and Saturdays 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. You can call the library at 507-359-8331.