SJ Access Devices – Update to Checkout Period

Information Update as of July 2024:

On August 1, 2024, the SJ Access Hotspots and 4G Data on Chromebooks will be discontinued. Learn more here.

Update to Checkout Period

Beginning Wednesday, May 8, 2024, the checkout period on all SJ Access devices will be 3 weeks with a 1-week renewal if the device does not have holds. This change applies to all new checkouts starting on this date. If you are currently borrowing an SJ Access device, your checkout period and auto-renewal will not change, which means your original due date will not be impacted. If you are currently on the waitlist for a device and receive the device after May 8th, your check out period will reflect this change and be checked out for 3 weeks. Here’s why this change is important:

• Holds and wait times are currently too long.
• Shorter checkout periods will help more library card members access these devices quickly.

The San José Public Library offers free library and community Wi-Fi, including our SJ Access device lending program. Read on to learn more about how to use all of these services.

Access Free Library and Community Wi-Fi

You can access free Wi-Fi (wifi) at library branches or connect to Community Wi-Fi in Downtown San José or select East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD) attendance areas. The process is simple and works for any wireless-enabled device, which includes most laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

The steps to connect are similar across devices and locations:

• Select the Wi-Fi icon on your device.
• Select the wireless network you would like to join:
  • For branch locations, this is "SJPL-WiFi"
  • For the King Library, this is either "King_Library_WIFI" or "SJSU_Guest"
  • For San José Downtown Wi-Fi, this is "Access SJ Downtown"
  • For Community Wi-Fi in ESUHSD attendance areas, this is "SJ Access Free Wi-Fi"
• If you see a notification specifying the need to "sign in," select that notification.
• Wait for the "Acceptable Use Policy" or “Terms of Use” page to appear on your screen.
• Once you select “Agree”, your device will connect.

Hotspot and Device Lending

Need to borrow an internet hotspot or a device, such as a Chromebook, iPad, or laptop? The San José Public Library can help! We have devices available to borrow for 3 weeks with a single 1-week automatic renewal, if there are no other hold requests on the item.

All new checkouts starting May 8^th will have to sign the updated user agreement.

To find out more about these devices and how to borrow one from the SJPL check out these pages:

• Hotspot - A portable Wi-Fi (wifi) hotspot is a pocket-sized mobile device. It uses Wi-Fi to help you connect your devices to the internet without having to plug into anything. Examples of devices you could use with a Wi-Fi hotspot are Chromebooks, iPads and other tablets, laptops, and smartphones.
• Chromebook - A Chromebook functions like a laptop and runs on the Google operating system, Chrome OS. It has cloud storage and built-in Google apps. A Chromebook is best used with a reliable Wi-Fi (wifi) connection.
• iPad (tablet) - iPads are tablets. Tablets are handheld computers that are even more portable than laptops. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, tablets use a touch-sensitive screen for typing and navigation. Although you can just use the touchscreen keyboard, our iPads come with an attachable keyboard.
• Laptop - Laptops are battery-powered computers that are portable. This means you can use them anywhere.

SJ Access

SJ Access is an innovative digital inclusion initiative that seeks to address the three A’s: access to devices, adoption to digital skill building curriculum, and affordable internet.

With the emphasis on helping San José residents and families with school-aged children adapt to the increasingly digital world, the SJ Access initiative has been connecting people to digital inclusion resources since 2020. Along with device lending and community wi-fi access, SJ Access provides digital skill building lessons and supports tech help at library branches.

Community-Based Organizations 

We’d also like to highlight the following community-based organizations! They provide a variety of public support services including helping people sign up for affordable home internet, help with getting an affordable device, and offering digital skill-building classes. Below are links to their websites, contact information, and a brief description of their focus area.