Libraries on Forefront of Offering Free Public Access Internet

OITP profiles five library networks. The ALA Office for Information Technology Policy released on January 6 Making Connections: Lessons from Five Shared Library Networks (PDF file)—profiles of five library networks that have, through varying approaches, successfully upgraded their broadband connectivity. The case studies reveal lessons learned that may be instructive for other libraries seeking to establish successful networks. Networks include Ohio Public Library Information Network, West Virginia Library Commission, Wisconsin BadgerNet, Peninsula Library System (California), and Maine School and Library Network.

This and earlier Making Connections reports are meant to support calls for Federal Broadband funding for public libraries. Much of the broadband grants is going to other entities, yet Public Libraries are on the forefront of offering no-fee broadband access to the Internet. Library Internet workstations are generally full (with waiting lines) and most public libraries also offer free wireless Internet access. Ironically, library hours are often reduced because of local government budget woes even though public demand to library access increases in times of economic downturn.

Digital Literacy -- the Role of Teacher Librarians

California School Library Association member Richard Moore posted a notice on the California school library listserv about an upcoming presentation on digital literacy and urged colleagues to consider attending in order to position teacher librarians in their role as teacher of digital literacy (included under information literacy). Thanks to Richard's "heads up", several librarians attended the presentation and successfully made their point about Teacher Librarians as part of the solution for increasing digital literacy in the state.

On Thursday 6/25, Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) Research Associate Dean Bonner presented findings of PPIC's Statewide Survey on Californians and Information Technology. The survey alines well with the national Pew survey on Information Technology, so we can see how California compares with the nation. See the PPIC website for video and handouts. Here are some highlights:

• The percentage of Californians with Internet and broadband access at home has increased since last year. Although the urban/rural digital divide has narrowed, demographic disparities persist.
• Many cell phone users, including most under age 35 are sending and receiving text messages. About 3 in 10 use cell phones to access the Internet or email.
• More than half of California’s Internet users access the Internet using a laptop through a wireless connection, while fewer do so using their cell phones or a computer at a public library.
• Six in 10 California parents with school-age children visit their children’s school websites and one in three get their children’s homework assignments via the Internet or by email. [Therefore about 40% of parents do not get school or student information via Internet access, presumably because they lack digital literacy or access to the Internet from home.]
• Majorities of Californians think that residents in lower-income and rural areas have less access to broadband Internet technology than others; At least half of Californians are concerned about this (inequity).

Sponsors of the PPIC event included California Emerging Technologies Fund (CETF), Zero Divide, and the State Library’s California Research Bureau. CETF President and CEO Sunne Wright McPeak spoke about the $60M her organization has to spend over five years to increase digital literacy in the state. She referenced a focus on government-led wireless research, used expressions such as “[solutions] driven by data” and “Children’s future”. She also indicated that Federal stimulus dollars to California would support Internet instruction targeted to populations needing digital literacy skills. For example, she stated that CETF has a goal to increase by 10% the number of Latinos who are online.

When the audience was invited to ask questions, the first hand up was Jennie Rae Davis, representative for Perma-Bound Books and a former school library employee. She expressed her concern that school libraries, a key part of the technology infrastructure, are losing teacher librarians, the ones who teach students how to use the Internet. The California School Library Association followed up with an offer to identify school teacher librarian (TL) data if we could get technical assistance on data mashing of CDE information showing where TLs exist and where they are missing. Sunny and others immediately understood the value of having visual data to show where TLs are most needed, and asked for assistance by GIS (Geographical Information Systems) expert Michael Byrne of the state information office. CSLA also provided Michael, Sunne, and others with a copy of Doug Achterman’s executive summary of “California’s School Libraries Make a Difference”.

There is a lot to be said about "being there".

Library-based JobSearch Help Desk - North Carolina

In recognition of the role of public libraries in hard times, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue announced a program for training public librarians to become "employment guides" in helping the public find jobs. The Public Library-based JobSearch Help Desk program recognizes that most employers no longer accept in-store, paper-based employment applications and that many job seekers go to the public library for guidance and Internet access.

The Governor's press release states: “Getting our people back to work is my number one priority,” said Gov. Perdue. “More and more job seekers have turned to their public libraries for help to learn about and apply for jobs, creating a surge in demand. This project will make an immediate difference in our ability to help citizens.” The press release concludes "In addition to an increase in job searches, the State Library reports that nearly five million North Carolinians are card-carrying library users, and their use of libraries is up sharply. Growth in materials being checked out, customer visits, and especially Internet use at libraries continues a trend."

Library as a solution: employment research, job applications

ALA Advocates for Rural Broadband to Public Libraries

The Federal government stimulus package includes grants to be awarded for broadband technology. The "kick-off" to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2008 Broadband Initiative took place on March 10, 2009 in Washington, DC. The Public Meeting of NTIA's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program included a live webcast. From the comfort viewing the webcast from sunny California, it was clear that the room was packed and at least 1,750 were viewing the webcast. The last portion of the hearing was devoted to Q&A. It was good to see that Alan Inouye, director of the American Library Association Office of Information Technology Policy, asked for the dates of upcoming public meetings and stated that he hopes that grants to service providers will make access and discounts available to public libraries.

Public Meeting Description: The U.S. Congress has appropriated $4.7 billion to establish a Broadband Technology Opportunities Program for awards to eligible entities to develop and expand broadband services to rural and underserved areas and improve access to broadband by public safety agencies. Of these funds, $250 million will be available for innovative programs that encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services; at least $200 million will be available to upgrade technology and capacity at public computing centers, including community colleges and public libraries; $10 million will be a transfer to the Office of Inspector General for the purposes of BTOP audits and oversight. Up to $350 million of the BTOP funding is designated for the development and maintenance of statewide broadband inventory maps.

Presenters included:

• Anna Gomez, Acting Administrator, NTIA, US Department of Commerce.
  
• Tom Vilsack, Secretary of US Department of Agriculture. See Rural Development website.
• Michael J. Copps, Acting Chair, FCC.
• Rick Wade, Senior Advisor and Acting Chief of Staff, US Department of Commerce.

Panel on Broadband initiatives, statutory requirements and timelines included:

• (Moderator) Mark Seifert, NTIA Senior Advisor
• Dr. Bernadette McGuire-Rivera, Associate Administrator, NTIA
• David Villano, Assistant Administrator for Telecommunications Programs, USDA Rural Development
• Scott M. Deuchman, Acting Senior Legal Advisor to Acting Chairman Copps, FCC.
  

There will be a comment period before the grant rules and regulations are determined. Then, the grants will be given out as fast as possible. The ALA will be actively working on behalf of broadband deployment to rural public libraries.

NJ Library Video: Job Hunting

The New Jersey State Library created a 30 second video on how people are turning to the library for help in seeking new jobs. YouTube Video is called "Job Hunting". Nancy Dowd actively markets libraries in the state. Well done!

Libraries as a solution: job hunting, Internet access

Advocating for Libraries with the Obama Administration

At the American Library Association's Mid-Winter Planning Meeting, Stephanie Vance of AdvocacyGuru.com listed three points to remember when advocating for libraries with members of the Obama administration:

1. The economy. The economy. The economy.
2. The idea of Loving Libraries and library values.
3. Citizen advocacy. Citizen communications with elected officials.

I agree with the above three, adding that it would be good to keep up a campaign that points to libraries as solutions. Here are a few examples of issues and library solutions:

1- No home Internet access? Want to contact the President, Governor, or your Representatives? Your library has Internet workstations and probably wireless access too.

2- Money's tight? No or few books at home? Want to read to your baby? Your library has books for every age and interest. Borrow, browse, or read at your library. XYZ Public Library’s Project READ links volunteers with new readers.

3- Looking for a job or starting a new business? Your library has online and web-based resources and a quiet place to research and do business. ABC Public Library’s Business collection is top-notch!

4- Want to do more for the planet? Libraries are “green”. READ Green. Borrow a Library Book!

5- Worried about student cybersafety? Online ethics? Cyberbulling? Teacher Librarians provide the cybersafety instruction mandated in California AB 307. Teacher Librarians teach students how to do research so they will be better learners through school, college, careers, and life. Advocate for strong school libraries! Become a “Best Seller” for libraries.

6- School budget reduced, training budget eliminated? California School Library Association 2.0 Team and the California Technology Assistance Project have joined forces to offer a free, online course on web 2.0 tools, “Classroom Learning 2.0”.

The list could go on and on. Libraries provide tons of services. Position services as solutions to specific issues of the day. Don't keep them a secret.

Top Choice for Online Public Library Descriptors: Internet Access

Over the past week/weekend, I had a mini-poll on my blog. This is NOT in any way statistically significant or elaborate, but... when librarians considered the list of key descriptors I used for my blog poll, all agreed with "Internet Access" as a top descriptor. I agree, and in fact when I point that out to non-library-going workers in the business world it is an "ah, ha! -- makes sense -- hadn't thought of libraries as a place to go for Internet access."

• Internet Access or Wifi (90%)


• Books and More to Borrow (75%)


• Literacy Programs (35%)


• Business Research (30%)


• Childrens Books (20%)


• Library Cards (20%)


• Book Clubs (15%)


• Geneology Research (10%)

Of course, many librarians let me know that there were words that they would have used that were missing from the list. Other descriptors that were recommened included "teens" or "jobs" or "resume writing" or "online databases" -- the list goes on. Regular library users know or should know that these many things are available at the library, but the point of adding these descriptors to online directories is to help people "stumple upon" their own local library as a solution to their information needs.