As well-respected civic institutions and trusted technology hubs, public libraries play a vital role in breaking down barriers to equitable digital opportunities and experiences. The digital divide continues to exist, and it drives a wedge between those with means, access to broadband, technologies and literacy skills and those without. Millions of people in North America do not have access to tele-healthcare, employment, education, economic opportunities, social services and more. Libraries are uniquely positioned to assist with making equitable change in the digital ecosystem affording people and the communities in which they live.
Digital Equity Toolkit
The Digital Equity Toolkit is being developed by the Digital Equity Action Team to outline resources that are a useful starting point in this work. Resources will be monitored and updated frequently, as the digital equity space is ever-evolving. For questions, please contact ULC's Chief of Programs Michelle Hamiel.
- Getting Started: Leadership Advocacy
The following resources are recommended for development of leadership advocacy. These include example Strategic Plans, staff training, commitment statements and job descriptions.
DIVE DEEPERReadLearn more about the importance of closing the digital divide.
Source: EveryLibrary
ReadAdvancing Digital Equity for All
Community-based recommendations for developing effective digital equity plans to close the digital divide and enable technology-empowered learning.
Source: Office of Educational Technology, US Department of Education
ReadCanada's public strategy for connecting all Canadian's to reliable high-speed internet. Includes topics around investing for impact and partnering for success.
Read"What Is 'Digital Discrimination?'"
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance submitted these comments to the FCC on 'digital definition' definition and rules in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021.
Source: NDIA
Learn"Understanding and Driving Enrollment in the Affordable Connectivity Program"
Benton provides the only free, reliable, and non-partisan daily digest that curates and distributes news related to universal broadband.
Building a Coalition: Robust PartnershipsIn order to advance digital equity, libraries will find success in partnerships. The below resources are examples of digital equity partners that can positively affect digital equity work.
DIVE DEEPERExploreEducationSuperHighway is a national non-profit with the mission to close the digital divide for the 18 million households that have access to the Internet but can’t afford to connect.
Their Affordable Connectivity Program flyer is an invaluable tool for promoting connection solutions.
Source: EducationSuperHighway
ExploreNational Digital Inclusion Alliance
NDIA combines grassroots community engagement with technical knowledge, research, and coalition building to advocate on behalf of people working in their communities for digital equity.
Source: NDIA
ExploreSince 2011, Cities United has been a leader in advocating for holistic approaches to gun violence. By working closely with stakeholders at every level, we are working to end the epidemic of shootings and homicides among young Black men and boys.
Source: Cities United
LearnNDIA: Digital Inclusion Coalition Guidebook
The Digital Inclusion Coalition Guidebook is for people who are committed to working toward digital equity in our communities by working together, across a variety of organizations and institutions, to advance these goals. It is designed as a resource for practitioners and organizations at all stages of coalition development, from those organizing initial conversations with potential partners to established coalitions looking to refine strategies and ensure sustainability.
Source: NDIA
Expanding Reach: Service InnovationThe below are examples of offerings and programs from ULC member libraries that work towards building digital equity.
DIVE DEEPERExploreBaltimore County Public Library's Library of Things expands their collection's range of materials for borrowing, so that community members of all ages can discover tools and materials to help them explore, learn, create and connect. Our Library of Things builds community through a shared economy, while giving the opportunity to use an item that may not be attainable, or to save money without purchasing.
Source: Baltimore County Public Library
ExploreDCPL's Fabrication Lab, or Fab Lab, is an emerging technology space that provides patrons with equipment, programs, and tools to explore, learn, and make. The Fabrication Lab connects patrons with other D.C. makers and helps scale their creative and entrepreneurial projects.
Source: DC Public Library
ExplorePrince George's County Memorial Library System offers a wide range of technology that is available for patrons to borrow, including Online2Go Chromebooks, Educational Wifi Hotspots, Playaway Launchpads, Electricity Usage Monitors and Thermal Cameras.
ExploreResidents of Shreveport have the option of getting free internet thanks to a new initiative of the City of Shreveport and Shreve Memorial Library. “Universal Digital Access” is a new service to provide free Wi-Fi through the libraries using a newly developed city cellular network. The service will allow residents of Shreveport currently without home internet service to access the library’s Wi-Fi network from home.
Source: Shreve Memorial Library System
ExploreBringing the Library to Transit Riders
Las Vegas-Clark County Library District's program "Bringing the Library to Transit Riders" provides local transit riders with free access to movies, ebooks, eaudiobooks, and magazines on 400 city buses, using on board WiFi.
ReadArticle: The Library Meets Its Makers
As libraries work to bridge the digital divide, makerspaces continue to establish their important role in community spaces. Written by Daniel Davis, Makerlab Specialist/IT Analyist at Durham County Library.
Source: Urban Libraries Council, Durham County Library
Explore: Data Collection and ResearchDIVE DEEPERReadBarriers to Digital Equity: A Case Study of King County
This case study from ScholarWorks explores how schools educate students in the use of digital technology. Using a concurrent mixed methods case study approach, the researchers identified potential barriers for schools in educating students in the use of digital technology. and identified factors that provide effective use of technology in schools.
Source: ScholarWorks @ SeattleU
ReadClosing the digital divide in Black America
In this article, McKinsey & Company outlines five steps that could help to bring broadband and digital equity to every Black household in the United States—urban and rural—while bolstering efforts to create a more inclusive economy.
Source: McKinsey & Company
ReadGrowing Digital Equity: Origins and Promise of Community Internet in Detroit
This case study from The New School focuses on Detroit and the predominantly Black and lower-income neighborhood of the North End as an example of innovative, community-scale projects that are locally generated. In the North End and two other communities, the Detroit Community Technology Project (DCTP) (sponsored by Allied Media Projects), launched the Equitable Internet Initiative (EII).
Source: The New School
ExploreCanada's Digital Charter: Trust in a digital world
Canada’s Digital Charter sets out principles to ensure that privacy is protected, data-driven innovation is human-centred, and Canadian organizations can lead the world in innovations that fully embrace the benefits of the digital economy.
©2023 Urban Libraries CouncilAdditional Resources
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP): The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.
EducationSuperHighway: EducationSuperHighway’s mission is to close the digital divide for the 18 million households that have access to the Internet but can’t afford to connect. They focus on America’s most unconnected communities, where more than 25% of people don’t have Internet.
Federal Communication Commission (FCC): The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA): NDIA combines grassroots community engagement with technical knowledge, research, and coalition building to advocate on behalf of people working in their communities for digital equity.
Schools, Health, & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB): SHLB is one of the leading national champions for open, affordable broadband for community anchor institutions. SHLB participates regularly in proceedings before the FCC, Capitol Hill, and Executive Branch.