Borrow a WiFi Hotspot from Chicago Public Library

Attention: This post is over 2 years old and the information may be out of date.Attention: This post is over 2 years old and the information may be out of date.

To increase internet access for areas in Chicago with low broadband availability, we're offering Internet to Go WiFi Lending, a program to lend WiFi hotspots at these CPL locations:

A WiFi hotspot is a device you can use to connect a mobile-enabled device, such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet, to the internet. The hotspot is portable, so you can connect your device almost wherever you are, like at home, on the bus or in the park.

You can borrow a Chromebook Kit, which includes a WiFi hotspot and a Chromebook, at:

If you’re a CPL cardholder and an adult resident of Chicago, you can check out a WiFi hotspot or kit for three weeks.

Internet to Go WiFi Hotspots FAQs

  • You can borrow a WiFi hotspot or a Google Chromebook Kit, which includes a WiFi hotspot and a Chromebook, from CPL through our Internet to Go program.

    A WiFi hotspot is a device you can use to connect a mobile-enabled device, such as a laptop, smartphone or tablet, to the internet.

    A Chromebook is a lightweight laptop that runs Google’s Chrome operating system. It must be connected to the internet for you to access its features, which are all web-based. The WiFi hotspot connects the Chromebook to the internet.

    The hotspot is portable, so you can connect your device almost wherever you are, like at home, on the bus or in the park.

    The hotspot works in any area covered by the Sprint 3G or 4G LTE network.

  • If you’re a CPL cardholder and a resident of Chicago 14 years or older, you can check out a WiFi hotspot or a Chromebook Kit. A valid photo ID is required to check out a Chromebook Kit.

  • WiFi Hotspots

    WiFi hotspots are available for checkout or holds at the following locations. To place a hold on a WiFi hotspot, your pickup location must be a location that carries hotspots.

    Chromebook Kits

    View Chromebook Kit availability.

  • You can borrow a WiFi hotspot or a Chromebook Kit for three weeks. A hotspot or kit will be automatically renewed up to 15 times if no one else has placed it on hold. Or you may renew the hotspot or kit yourself up to 15 times.

  • A WiFi hotspot or a Chromebook Kit must be returned to the circulation desk of the CPL location where it was checked out. They may not be returned to bookdrops or other CPL locations.

  • WiFi Hotspots

    A WiFi hotspot will be turned off and wireless service will be terminated if the hotspot is not returned on the due date.

    If the hotspot is lost, please contact the location where you checked it out immediately. The replacement fee is the market value cost CPL will be charged to replace the hotspot. Cost as of October 2019 is approximately $100.

    Chromebook Kits

    The Chromebook will be turned off and wireless service will be terminated if the kit is not returned on the due date.

    If the Chromebook Kit is lost, please contact the location where you checked it out immediately. The replacement fee is the market value cost CPL will be charged to replace the kit. Cost as of October 2019 is approximately $350.

View more about Internet to Go WiFi Lending