In partnership with the Austin Public Library and the Blandin Foundation, Austin Aspires has limited hot spots available for checkout to students and/or families. These hotspots are available on a first come, first serve basis, and will be checked out for up to one year.
​
THE PROCESS STARTS WITH AUSTIN ASPIRES!
Ways to connect:

at ij, ellis, or ahs - call or email

Jwokamer -Ellis
Languages: Anuak & English
technavigator@austinaspires.org
507-460-9834

Brandon - IJ/AHS
aspiresnavigator@austinaspires.org
507-318-6162

​Jesus - Ellis
Languages: Spanish & English
msnavigator@austinaspires.org
507-440-49195074404919

aUSTIN aSPIRES by phone, Email or office

Jayne - Austin Aspires Executive Director
director@austinaspires.org
507-437-0920

301 North Main St Suite 104
​Austin MN, 55912

Steps to be taken to get a hotspot

Step One:

• Complete the Austin Aspires Registration form
  • ​Can be done over the pone, by sending home with student, with responsible adult in office, etc​​

Step Two

• Confirm responsible adult has Austin Public Library Card or are eligible for one
  • ​Help them complete card application
  • Put your name at the bottom of the form

​

Step Three

• Submit completed Austin Aspires registration form to Austin Aspires
  • ​Scan or take a picure and email to director@austinaspires.org​

​                  OR
                  give to the                          navigator at                      your location                    (if applicable)​  

Step Four

• Responsible adult will receive a certificate to check out the hotspot for up to one year from the Austin Public Library
  • ​Pleaase tell responsible adult not to go to the libary until they have the certificate or communication telling them they have been approved for chekk out
    

Vertical Divider

Scan QR code for a the hotspot registration form

Vertical Divider

REMINDER: Please do not go to the Austin Public Library to check out a hotspot until you have COMPLETED all steps 1-4

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If your question is not addressed her please email us at director@austinaspires.org call us at 507-437-0920 or stop by our office 

Do the hotspots cost anything to check out

No, These hotspots are available through grant dollars from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Blandin Broadband Communities grant.

How long can i have the hotspot checked out?

Up to one year as long as you are using it. All devices must be returned to the Austin Public Library at the end of 2023.

Do I have to have an austin public library card to get a hotspot? i dont check out books or anything else from the library. 

Yes, an active Austin Public Library card in good standing is the ONLY way you can check out a hotspot. 

Do i have to live in austin to check out a hotspot?

You do not need to live in Austin, but you must be a resident of Power County and meet the library's requirements to get a library card in order to check out a hotspot. 

dO I HAVE TO KEEP THE HOTSPOT FOR A FULL YEAR?

No! Please keep the device only for as long as you need it! If you are no longer using it, please return it to the Austin Public Library so it can be checked out by others that need it. 

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO USE THE HOTSPOT OR THE HOTSPOT STOPS WORKING?

A number to contact T-Mobile directly will be provided to you when you check out your hotspot. Pleas start there. If T-Mobile is not able to fix the problem, return the device to the library for replacement. 

What if i lose or break the hotspot?

Please contact the Austin Public Library right away. Accidents happen and they will work with you to figure out how to replace it. A fee of $100 will be charged for broken or lost hotspots. These are not toys, so please take good care of them.