[1st-mile-nm] Former State Librarian at Broadband Breakfast in DC

[John Badal]

Sacred Wind partnered with Susan's programs both at the Gallup and Aztec main libraries, including providing a Navajo-speaking Internet trainer for each.

John Badal

"Oberlander went on to describe how the state contacted telecommunications providers for assistance with developing and implementing the digital literacy and training programs, but the telecommunications providers were not receptive to providing assistance."






From: 1st-mile-nm-bounces at mailman.dcn.org [mailto:1st-mile-nm-bounces at mailman.dcn.org] On Behalf Of Richard Lowenberg
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 3:19 PM
To: 1st-Mile-NM
Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Former State Librarian at Broadband Breakfast in DC

Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition Holds Broadband Summit<http://broadbandbreakfast.com/2011/03/schools-health-and-libraries-broadband-coalition-holds-broadband-summit/>
March 30th, 2011
Rahul Gaitonde<http://broadbandbreakfast.com/author/rahul-gaitonde/>, Deputy Editor, BroadbandBreakfast.com<http://BroadbandBreakfast.com>
http://broadbandbreakfast.com/2011/03/schools-health-and-libraries-broadband-coalition-holds-broadband-summit/

WASHINGTON March 30, 2011- The Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition assembled broadband stimulus award winners and government officials for their inaugural broadband summit on Tuesday to share solutions and success in  solving digital literacy and adoption issues.

The SHLBC, formed two years ago, comprises libraries, hospitals, schools, non-profit groups and corporations that seek to further broadband availability for community anchor institutions.

New Mexico's State Librarian, Susan Oberlander, provided one of the most descriptive presentations on the state's digital literacy program.

"By holding the programs in the libraries we found that the programs instantly gained credibility," Oberlander said. "People already trust the library as a source of good information."

Oberlander went on to describe how the state contacted telecommunications providers for assistance with developing and implementing the digital literacy and training programs, but the telecommunications providers were not receptive to providing assistance.

As part of the training programs, the attendees participate in broadband usage surveys that track their interests and progress.

"Our preliminary findings are quite interesting," said Oberlander. "We found that a large number of small businesses that come to our workshops already have broadband, but they want to expand their knowledge of computers."

The surveys also found that cost of service and lack of a computer are the largest barriers to adoption.
(snip)


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Richard Lowenberg
P. O. Box 8001,  Santa Fe, NM  87504
505-989-9110 off.; 505-603-5200 cell
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