Chester County residents seeking internet access away from a library can borrow a mobile hotspot from Chester County Library in Exton or the Henrietta Hankin Branch in Chester Springs. Both offer three or seven day loans through the libraries’ hotspot program.
The advertised daily price is only part of planning a loan. Borrowers also need to account for tax, a return to the lending desk and the hours that desk is open.
Eligibility and costs
The library’s lending FAQ requires a valid Chester County Library System card, an account without fines and a borrower age of at least 18. It lists these charges:
- Three day loan: $6 plus sales tax.
- Seven day loan: $14 plus sales tax.
- Late return: $20 per day.
- Lost or damaged hotspot: $95 replacement fee.
The late and replacement fees appear on page 2. A single daily late charge exceeds either base loan price.
Reserve at the branch you will use
Start with the separate branch reservation links on the hotspot page. The page says reservations require a library card number and PIN. It also specifies that each branch’s hotspots must be collected from and returned to that branch.
Plan the return before collecting it
Return the hotspot to the original library’s checkout desk by closing on the due date. Ask that library about renewal, which depends on availability. Source: pickup and return rules.
To cancel, call the lending library before or on the pickup date. The FAQ’s contact numbers include 610 344 5957 for Chester County Library and 610 344 4191 for Henrietta Hankin.
Check hours and the October 12 closure
The libraries’ location and hours page lists:
- Chester County Library: 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA 19341.
- Henrietta Hankin Branch: 215 Windgate Drive, Chester Springs, PA 19425.
Exton opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday; Henrietta Hankin opens at 9:30 a.m. Both close at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 p.m. Friday. Both list Saturday hours of 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday hours of 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Both libraries list a closure on October 12, 2026, for a staff in service day. Check the closure calendar and confirm pickup and return arrangements with the lending desk when planning around that date.
A connection for your own devices
The program description says a hotspot can connect up to 32 devices and requires cellular coverage where it is used. It links a carrier coverage map. Check that coverage for the intended destination before reserving.
For plans to extend home internet access, see our Chester County broadband awards and address map guide. It explains how to distinguish regional funding totals from information about an individual location.
Readers who need a computer during an Exton library visit can consult the Wright Report’s laptop borrowing guide, which covers the separate computer service and its lending hours. Find more local services in the Chester County coverage hub.
Photo: Illustrative stock photograph of a laptop and phone. It does not show library equipment or a loaned hotspot. Kindel Media on Pexels, used under the Pexels License. Image found through Pexafy.
Update, October 11, 2026: Added a link to the broadband awards and address map guide for readers researching home service. The original publication date and earlier library source checks are unchanged.
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