How Van Buren District Library Closed the Digital Divide and Became Mobile Beacon’s #1 Partner in the Nation
Snapshot
- Library: Van Buren District Library (7 branches)
- Service Area: 45,000 residents across Van Buren County, MI
- Program Launch: 2022 with 210 devices
- Current Fleet: 420 mobile hotspots
- Patrons Served: 3,889 in 2025
The Challenge
In rural southwest Michigan, broadband access has long been unreliable and unaffordable. Many households, particularly low-income families, lacked internet at home. For students, job seekers, and families, this created a barrier to basic participation in education, employment, and daily life.
“Many of our residents are low-income and lack affordable broadband at home. The library’s innovative hotspot lending program has been transformative.”
— Daywi Cook, Covert Township Supervisor
The Solution
In 2022, Van Buren District Library (VBDL) partnered with Mobile Beacon to launch a mobile hotspot lending program. The goal was simple: give every resident a fair chance to connect online.
- Began with 210 devices funded through an initial investment.
- Scaled to 420 hotspots within two years to meet overwhelming demand.
- Offering unlimited, high-speed mobile internet for free through the library’s circulation system.
The Results
The program has grown into one of the most impactful in the country.
Hero Metrics
- 312,000 GB of data delivered in the first half of 2025
- 109 GB average usage per device each month
- 45x the national average & nearly 100x Mobile Beacon’s median library usage
- 3,889 patrons served in 2025 alone
The summer of 2025 walone (May–July) saw 149,000 GB consumed underscoring how essential the program has become for families when school is out and work shifts change.
“Van Buren District Library is the clear leader among our partners. Their program demonstrates what is possible when a library invests deeply in digital inclusion.”
— Joe Gleason, Director of Programs, Mobile Beacon
Community Impact
Behind the numbers are real families:
- Students use hotspots for homework, remote learning, and research.
- Job Seekers connect to applications, training programs, and online interviews.
- Families use the internet for healthcare, communication, and daily essentials.
Executive Director Dan Hutchins put it plainly:
“When we started this program back in 2022, we were simply trying to serve the community. It never entered my mind that it was even possible for a rural library system such as ours to exceed the data distribution of Mobile Beacon’s large, urban library clients. I’m astonished.”
Proof of Value
The data speaks for itself:
- Retail Equivalent Value: 312,000 GB × $8/GB = ~$2.5 million worth of internet access delivered to residents.
- Library Cost: A fraction of that through Mobile Beacon’s affordable nonprofit program.
This return on investment highlights how libraries can multiply community impact while staying fiscally responsible.
Lessons Learned
- Demand outpaces supply. “Once word got out, we couldn’t keep them on the shelves.” – Dan Hutchins, Executive Director
- Outreach is critical. Promotion through staff, local leaders, and community networks ensured rapid adoption.
- Rural usage is higher than expected. In areas without home broadband, hotspots become essential utilities.
How to Replicate the Model
For library boards and directors considering similar initiatives, the VBDL program offers a clear path:
- Secure devices & affordable data plans through nonprofit providers like Mobile Beacon.
- Train staff to manage circulation and support.
- Promote widely to ensure equitable reach in underserved communities.
- Track usage data to demonstrate ROI and impact for boards and stakeholders.
Conclusion
Van Buren District Library’s hotspot program shows what’s possible when a rural library makes digital equity central to its mission. By expanding access where it’s needed most, VBDL has set a national benchmark for library-led innovation.
