Nearly 34 million Americans are without any kind of fixed or mobile Internet access, according to the Federal Communications Commission's 2016 Broadband Progress Report. Computer ownership and high-speed internet use in New Mexico lag behind most states in the Southwest, the report shows, indicating that many people are getting left behind.

The Public Library in Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Library recognized an opportunity to reduce those barriers to access by creating a way to "lend out the Internet" via Mobile Hotspots.

A Mobile Hotspot is a device that connects to a computer, smartphone of tablet and generates a wireless Internet, or Wi-Fi, signal. Several devices can then access the Wi-Fi signal.

"As a city we are actively working on bridging the Internet accessibility gap," said Mayor Richard J. Berry. "This is one important step, part of a larger intentional approach to improve connectivity for everyone in the City of Albuquerque."

The Library is working with T-Mobile to provide the Hotspots for check out at each library in the system. A library card is required for checkout of the device; the new program begins Friday, September 30.

For more information go to abclibrary.org/hotspot.

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