The Somerville Public Library has a number of devices that patrons can borrow and take home, including laptops and wifi hotspots.

• Take-Home Technology devices can be borrowed for 2 weeks and renewed once, if there are no active holds (for a maximum total of 4 weeks).
  • Exception: Special long-term hotspots are available and circulate for 3 months, with one renewal (for a maximum total of 6 months).
• Patrons can only borrow one of each type of device at a time. All returned devices are inspected by staff and are not available for immediate check out.
• Anyone with a Minuteman library card can borrow devices.
  • Exception: Only Somerville residents can borrow long-term hotspots.
• Patrons must be 13 or older to borrow these devices.
• Devices must be picked up and returned at the same lending location. They must be given directly to a staff member during open hours. Patrons cannot return these devices to other libraries or place them in book drops.
  • Example: a West Branch Wi-Fi hotspot can only be picked up at the West Branch and must be returned there as well.
• Please note that device kits cannot be broken up into individual parts.
• The Library reserves the right to remotely disable overdue devices.
• If a device is not returned, or has been damaged, or is returned without all of its parts, the borrower will be billed for the cost of replacement.

Violating these rules may result in loss of technology access.

Updated February 2025