[1st-mile-nm] Rural Libraries and Broadband Adoption

[Richard Lowenberg]

Lillian,
As you likely know, libraries have been and continue to be primary 
community information-access and knowledge-building centers, with 
the ALA having been a leading advocate since the early Internet days.
In rural communities, libraries are a safe, trusted, helpful place for all;
children, elders, those with handicaps, the poor and more.   Libraries
have an important ongoing role to play as the net evolves technically,
and as the digital divide evolves with growing economic fragilities and 
disparities in urban and rural communities.

A major problem is that libraries are under-supported for their evolving
role and tasks, needing trained staff and systems (desktop  and mobile).
Incumbent providers and ISPs ought to have an incentive to support
libraries and community learning centers, if their efforts lead to new
network subscribers.   Local .gov and schools should also partner to
support libraries, as the results are of benefit to the community common 
good.    Maintaining metrics on this can help make the case.

Richard


On Apr 13, 2015, at 10:07 AM, Lillian Galloway wrote:

> Thank you for sharing this, Richard. In the course of launching our
> digital literacy project over the past year, I have noticed increases in
> confidence with technology for most people who have attended learning
> sessions with the Silver City Public Library and our partners. The survey
> data we have collected seems to support this. I wonder whether informal,
> supportive learning environments contribute to community members' adoption
> of broadband.
> 
> Lillian
> 
> Lillian Galloway
> 
> Programming and Outreach Librarian
> Silver City Public Library, Silver City, NM
> (575) 538-3672
> silvercitypubliclibrary.wordpress.com
> 
> 
>> Rural Libraries and Broadband Adoption
>> 
>> A new study suggests there is a link between libraries and rates of
>> household broadband adoption – but only in the most remote rural counties.
>> Libraries were the only type of “community anchor institution” to
>> demonstrate this relationship.
>> 
>> By Brian Whitacre and Colin Rhinesmith
>> 
>> http://www.dailyyonder.com/rural-libraries-linked-higher-broadband-adoption/2015/04/08/7796
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ---------------------------------------------------------
>> Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
>> 1st-Mile Institute          www.1st-mile.org
>> P. O.  Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM    87504
>> 505-603-5200                 rl at 1st-mile.org
>> ---------------------------------------------------------
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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>> 

---------------------------------------------------------
Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute          www.1st-mile.org  
P. O.  Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM    87504
505-603-5200                 rl at 1st-mile.org
---------------------------------------------------------






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