A federal grant that allowed the Flathead County Library to loan out internet hotspots dried up this week, and library trustees appear disinclined to continue the program.  

The hotspots, portable devices that provide wireless internet access, first became available in 2020 via a Digital Competitive Grant from the National Telecommunication and Information Administration. The Montana State Library started the hotspot program in July 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.  

A total of 54 counties in Montana participated in the program over the past five years and, according to the Montana State Library, 37 libraries — 54% of those currently participating — planned to continue the program after federal funds ended on June 30. 

Drawing on the grant, the Flathead County Library had around 50 hotspots to give out to patrons.  

“Our approximately 50 hotspots, systemwide, are in high demand, with all units regularly checked out and a consistent waitlist for their use,” Library Director Teri Dugan said.  

Dugan said that continuing the program would cost the library system $1,200 a year for 11 hotspots. 

But continuing the hotspot program struck Flathead County Library Board Trustee Doug Adams as inappropriate. 

" ... I am philosophically opposed to expanding welfare programs at any level of government,” Adams said at the board’s June 26 meeting. “That’s exactly what this is.” 

He spoke as trustees — in light of the lost funding — discussed adding the program to the agenda for its July meeting. Chair Dave Ingram can put the topic on the agenda, or two trustees can call for a discussion. Adams said he opposed putting it on a future agenda.  

Though Trustee Jane Wheeler referenced the demand for the portable devices — a Bigfork resident sent the board a letter offering to fundraise for the program — Adams was unmoved. 

“Well, there’s a demand for anything that people are willing to give away. If you get something for free, there’s going to be a demand for it,” Adams said,  

“But that’s what libraries do,” Wheeler replied. 

Trustee Carmen Cuthbertson agreed with Adams that the hotspot program went too far. 

“The library is part of the infrastructure of this county; we are not a welfare program,” she said. “It is not our job to, I don’t know, equalize broadband access or equalize anything or advocate for anything." 

“... We are not needs based and we are not part of the welfare programs in this county,” Cuthbertson added. 

As of 2023, Montana had an estimated 39,343 households without internet access, according to the Montana State Library. The library hotspots ranged in use, including letting households keep up with news, connect with family and friends, access telehealth services and complete homework. The devices even kept a library open during a temporary loss of internet, according to the state library. 

Cuthbertson worried that patrons used the devices for less practical reasons.  

“We have anecdotal evidence from people saying what they do with it,” Cuthbertson said. “Let’s just put out there that nobody’s going to say I took my hotspot up to the mountain to watch porn on it. But there’s nothing to keep you from doing it.” 

As of June 2, the Whitefish Community Library plans to continue offering hotspots after the funding ends. Officials with the Missoula Public Library posted to social media late last month that it would end the hotspot program.  

The Flathead County Library Board meets next on July 24. 

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].