What More Can We Do to Address Broadband Inequity and Digital Poverty?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v39i3.12619Abstract
While libraries have always worked to help breach the digital divide by providing free Internet access, public access computers and teaching media literacy, the current pandemic has made it abundantly clear that much more needs to be done. This article proposes ways that libraries might work with community, state, national and even global partners to help promote universal broadband.
References
Cecilia Kang, “Parking Lots Have Become a Digital Lifeline,” The New York Times, May 20, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/05/technology/parking-lots-wifi-coronavirus.html.
Erica Freudenberger, “Reopening Libraries: Public Libraries Keep Their Options Open,” Library Journal, June 25, 2020, https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=reopening-libraries-public-libraries-keep-their-options-open.
Gina Millsap, “This was in April. Q. We’re starting a new school year and what has changed? A. Not much. It’s past time to get serious about universal broadband in the U.S.” Facebook, August 16, 2020, 5:37 a.m., https://www.facebook.com/gina.millsap.7/posts/10218986781485855. Accessed September 14, 2020.
James K. Willcox, “Libraries and Schools Are Bridging the Digital Divide During the Coronavirus Pandemic,” Consumer Reports, last modified April 29, 2020, https://www.consumerreports.org/technology-telecommunications/libraries-and-schools-ridging-the-digital-divide-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic/.
Jim Lynch, “The Gates Library Foundation Remembered: How Digital Inclusion Came to Libraries,” TechSoup, accessed August 24, 2020, https://blog.techsoup.org/posts/gates-library-foundation-remembered-how-digital-inclusion-came-to-libraries.
Lara Fishbane and Adie Tomer, “Neighborhood Broadband Data Makes It Clear: We Need an Agenda to Fight Digital Poverty,” Brookings Institution, last modified February 6, 2020, https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2020/02/05/neighborhood-broadband-data-makes-it-clear-we-need-an-agenda-to-fight-digital-poverty/.
Lauren Kirchner, “Millions of American Depend on Libraries for Internet. Now They’re Closed,” The Markup, June 25, 2020, https://themarkup.org/coronavirus/2020/06/25/millions-of-americans-depend-on-libraries-for-internet-now-theyre-closed.
“Libraries are Filling the Homework Gap as Students Head Back to School,” Broadband USA, last modified September 4, 2018, https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/ntia-blog/libraries-are-filling-homework-gap-students-head-back-school.
“Libraries Respond: COVID-19 Survey,” American Library Association, accessed August 25, 2020, http://www.ilovelibraries.org/sites/default/files/MAY-2020-COVID-Survey-PDF-Summary-of-Results-web-2.pdf.
“Newsom Issues Executive Order on Digital Divide,” CHEAC (Improving the Health of All Californians), last modified August 14, 2020, https://cheac.org/2020/08/14/newsom-issues-executive-order-on-digital-divide/.
Rashawn Ray, “Five Things John Lewis Taught us About Getting in ‘Good Trouble,’” Brookings Institution, last modified July 23, 2020, https://www.brookings.edu/blog/how-we-rise/2020/07/23/five-things-john-lewis-taught-us-about-getting-in-good-trouble/.
Ry Marcattilio-McCracken, “Electric Cooperatives Partners with Dominion Energy to Bring Broadband to Rural Virginia,” last modified August 6, 2020, https://muninetworks.org/content/electric-cooperatives-partner-dominion-energy-bring-broadband-rural-virginia.
Sarah Chase Webber, “The Library’s Role in Bridging the Digital Divide”, Urban Libraries Council, last modified March 28, 2019, https://www.urbanlibraries.org/blog/the-librarys-role-in-bridging-the-digital-divide.
Tyler Cooper, “Bezos and Musk’s Satellite Internet Could Save Americans $30B a Year,” Podium: Opinion, Advice, and Analysis by the TNW Community, last modified August 24, 2019, https://thenextweb.com/podium/2019/08/24/bezos-and-musks-satellite-internet-could-save-americans-30b-a-year/.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2020 Lori Bowen Ayre
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors that submit to Information Technology and Libraries agree to the Copyright Notice.