Sen. Kaminsky Secures Funding for WiFi Hotspots in Valley Stream

(Valley Stream, NY) — Today, Senator Todd Kaminsky announced that he has secured $7,500 in state aid through a Special Legislative Grant from New York State for the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library to purchase portable internet hotspots for patrons to access at home. The T-Mobile Franklin T-9 mobile hotspots will be available to Valley Stream library patrons for a 14-day loan period starting after the Labor Day holiday weekend. 

These devices allow people to rent Wi-Fi hot spots to bring home or to work, enabling them to stay connected with loved ones and family members as Long Island begins to reopen. 

“There might never be a more critical time for internet access then during this pandemic,” Senator Kaminsky said. “These devices will give people the opportunity to conduct business or communicate with each other during this socially-distanced period.” 

“Without this grant secured by Senator Kaminsky, the library would not have been able to purchase multiple devices to loan to our patrons,” said Mamie Eng, Library Director at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library. “The need for internet access was evident this spring and summer when schools, libraries, and many facilities closed for the NYS Pause, so the library is confident that these T-Mobile Franklin T-9 mobile hotspots will be in demand. Many thanks to Senator Kaminsky for making it possible to provide this service to library patrons.” 

To check out a mobile hotspot, borrowers must sign a Borrowing Agreement form and provide a valid adult Valley Stream library card in good standing. In addition, as with our family museum passes, all family members must be in good standing as the portable hotspot can accommodate up to 15 devices in your home at the same time. 

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