Hotspot Guide for Library Staff
Answer
Who can check out a hotspot?
Only currently enrolled and registered TCC students are eligible to check out lendable technology. And only one hotspot at a time. Enrollment verification will take place and a TCC Student ID must be presented. (See ‘what are the steps for checking out hotspots’ below)
How many hotspots can a student check out at a time?
Only one hotspot can be checked out to a student at a time.
What is the loan period for hotspots?
Hotspots are loaned for the semester. See below chart for loan periods.
Hotspots are not available for loan during the intersession between semesters.
- Hotspots can be loaned starting on Monday, May 26th and are due on Friday, August 1st.
Can holds be placed on hotspots?
No. These items are part of the reserve collection and are first come-first serve.
- Please report number of turn aways to your coordinator via email or established procedure at your campus.
Can hotspots be renewed?
No. Hotspots are due on the last day of the semester.
What are the steps for checking out hotspots?
A valid TCC Student ID is required and must be shown at the time of taking possession of the hotspot.
- Verify enrollment and registration by checking the student's status date in Alma. Currently enrolled students have a status date of the current day.
- Check for notes in the Alma record to ensure there are no blocks.
- Verify student's phone number and email, adding a note in Alma for changes and advising the student to update SIS if necessary.
- Check out hotspot and change the due date to the last day of the semester (see chart above).
- Remind the student that hotspots are to be returned in person to the campus from which they were borrowed.
Additional Things for Staff to Keep In Mind
- All items checked out together are returned together (3 pieces: Hotspot, charger, laminated quick start guide). Peripherals are not to be checked out separately.
- Charge hotspots fully before loaning items out again.
What if a hotspot is overdue?
After one day late: Call student. Block student in SIS. Add a note in student's Alma record that they have an overdue hotspot and a phone call was placed.
After two weeks late: Call the student a second time. Add a note in the student’s Alma record that a call was placed.
After three weeks late: Hotspot is considered lost. Delete the item from the loan record. Put the item in missing status. Add a note to the student’s record that the hotspot was removed and the student is banned from checking out lendable tech for two semesters.
- Circ Supervisor or designated campus staff puts in a tech ticket indicating which hotspot needs to be deactivated by OIS (include hotspot number and barcode)
- Cataloging staff will be notified if/when to withdraw the deactivated hotspot from the catalog
- The SIS block remains until the student 1) returns the hotspot, or 2) explains the situation (e.g., the device is lost/claim returned, etc.)
Who do I contact for help with a hotspot?
Put in a Library Tech Ticket here or contact Stephanie 'Missy' Comer at the Portsmouth Campus Library: scomer@tcc.edu or 757-822-2143