Emery County ratifies T-Mobile hotspot contract for libraries and accepts $1,628 LSTA grant

The Emery County Commission on Aug. 19 ratified a contract with T-Mobile for mobile hotspot service to support library patrons and accepted a small Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) reimbursement grant.

A county library representative explained the T-Mobile contract covers service for 20 hotspots at $220.20 per month for one year (a county commitment of $2,642), replacing a prior month-to-month plan that covered 10 hotspots at $277.62 per month. "We're actually gonna get more service, more hot spots, or less money," the presenter said, noting the county attorney raised no objections and county officials had approved signing the contract pending ratification.

The presenter also described how E-rate funding could reimburse roughly 70% of hotspot costs if the federal E-rate decision comes through, but cautioned that E-rate rules require hotspots to be actively used (no device may sit unused for more than 30 days) to retain eligibility. The presenter said hotspots will be rotated among branches to ensure active use.

Commissioners also voted to accept a Utah State Library Division LSTA borrower support grant reimbursing up to $1,628 in postage and shipping costs for interlibrary loans between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. A county official said the grant helps patrons access resources nationwide at no cost to them.

Both measures passed by voice vote with the commissioners present.

Next steps: the library will implement hotspot distribution across branches, monitor E-rate eligibility requirements, and use the reimbursed funds for interlibrary loan costs during the FY2026 grant period.