Last year, about $24,000 of taxpayer funding for the library provided free mobile hot spots to library patrons. The program was instituted in the library in June 2019. In 2020 the Library added 21 mobile hot spots from a program administered by the state. That funding has since ended. The St. Louis Public Library details how they are phasing out the hot spots due to loss of funding.
At one point, the Christian County Library had 45 mobile hot spots, but seem to have just under 40 devices now.
At the Feb. 24, 2026 meeting, mobile hot spots were discussed. A great deal of information was shared regarding the usage and cost of these hot spots, both pro and con. The video of the meeting, when it comes out, should be of interest to citizens. I will post it, along with other information. In the meantime, I am requesting more information, as noted below.
Custodian
of Records
Christian County Library
Via email:
sunshine@christiancountylibrary.org
February 25, 2026
This is a request for records under the Missouri Sunshine Law, Chapter 610, Revised Statutes of Missouri. I request that you make available to me records pertaining to the following information regarding the library's mobile hot spots and related services:
Without exposing any personally identifiable information (PII), please provide the number of unique users who have checked out mobile hot spots in the last four months (from October 1, 2025, to February 1, 2026).
Of the total number of Verizon billable line items, please provide the breakdown of how many are cell phones and how many are mobile hot spots. Please provide copies of the Nov. 2025, Dec. 2025, Jan. 2026, and Feb. 2026 Verizon invoices, restricted to "Overview of Lines" pages 1-5, that detail this information.
Regarding the status of the seven mobile hot spots mentioned at the Feb. 24, 2026 Board meeting, please provide an explanation for why the Library District pays for mobile hot spots that are not being utilized and have zero data usage.
Whether any of the mobile hot spots are issued to staff members for work-from-home: please provide any policies, assignment records, or memos that address this.
Whether the library changes passwords on mobile hot spots each time they are checked out: please provide any policies that describe the checkout process for these devices as related to passwords.
Whether an internet filter is installed on the mobile hot spots: please provide any policies related to content filtering on these devices.
If any portion of the requested records is closed under the Sunshine Law, please provide the open portions and cite the specific statutory exemption for any redactions or withholdings.
Please provide these records in electronic format via email. I would like to inspect the records if electronic copies are not feasible. Please inform me in advance if the cost of fulfilling this request exceeds $25. If the cost will be higher, please provide a detailed estimate before proceeding.
If you deny any part of this request, please provide a written explanation for the denial, including a reference to the specific statutory exemption(s) authorizing the withholding of the record and a brief explanation of how the exemption applies to the record withheld.
Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your response within three business days, as required by law.
Thank you kindly.
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