Libraries and the Digital Divide

Source

            Source

The digital divide is simply the gap between individuals with and without access to connected technology. The digital divide does not discriminate to just underdeveloped or developing countries, but also includes gaps between genders, socioeconomic levels, education levels, and ability levels. The digital divide has become glaringly apparent during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Now, more than ever, in today's technology driven world, being digitally connected has become a basic necessity for many. Technology has revolutionized the way we learn, communicate, access healthcare while quarantined and even how we carry out simple tasks.

Will the digital divide end up bigger than what originally thought? With the onset of COVID-19 and a worldwide reliance on technology and the internet a lot of data and statistics are being collected. Once the dust settles, a clear picture of the digital divide may unfold. Hopefully after this crisis, there will be more of a worldwide effort to get people from all over the world connected so they are able to access information. According to Microsoft, it is difficult to gauge how man people are without the internet or broadband speeds. They report however, that six independent studies have shown that there is higher unemployment rates in counties that don'w have access to the internet. The Pew Research Center published data collected in March 2020, reporting how different populations rated the importance and use of technology.

Source

Access to technology is crucial to a child’s success in today’s digital world.  But what about families who do not have access or families who cannot afford to purchase the latest smartphone, tablet, or tech toy? What does the research say?

According to the ALSC, while today’s families seem digitally connected, here are some interesting statistics reported in 2019:

• Digital Responsibility reports lack of access to technology at home is a major barrier for more than half of teachers.  As a result, they are less likely to introduce tech in their classrooms.
• The National Center for Education Statistics found a student’s access to digital resources at home greatly impacts academic and literacy scores.  On average, those without access scored at least 8% lower in core subjects.  Even more, their literacy scores were more than 20% lower than students with access.
• The Pew Research Center notes more than 25% of low-income households do not have a smartphone.  Nearly 50% do not have a computer, and even more do not own a tablet.  In contrast, more than half of higher income families have more than one device.
• Research by Digital Equity for Learning estimates at least 20% of mobile-only families have too many people sharing the same device.  As a result, there is not enough access for everyone.

City Council Passes Bill to Help Close the Digital Divide April 2020

During this pandemic, the education of young people is in jeopardy as the digital divide is wreaking havoc throughout the world. If leveraged in the right way and made universally accessible, digital technology can be a game changer for children being left behind – whether because of poverty, race, ethnicity, gender, disability, displacement or geographic isolation – connecting them to a world of opportunity and providing them with the skills they need to succeed in a digital world.

Some Minnesota Families Struggle with the Digital Divide as they Navigate Distance Learning

Libraries are bridging the digital divide during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Although physical locations are closed, many of America's 120,000 libraries stepped up to the plate and continue to help patrons in a variety of creative ways via phone, zoom calls, instructional videos, online links, offering parking lot wifi, giving out free books, serving as temporary food banks, using library 3D printers to make face shield for health care workers, encouraging local businesses to remove wifi passwords, facilitated a hot spot trailers, curbside book pick up, advocating for access to reliable access to information. 
Source

Source

ALA Public Policy and Advocacy Activity Related to COVID-19

The work and efforts that the American Library Association, along with other libraries is to be applauded. On April 3, 2020, a letter was sent to Director General Francis Gurry, leader of World Intellectual Property Organization on behalf of 384 organizations representing 32.5 million educators, 2.5 million libraries and archives, 45,000 museums, and 200 copyright scholars in 199 countries. The letter urged the director to take action to ensure that the global intellectual property system promotes research, education, access to culture, and public health during this time of crisis. Check out the other advocacy efforts the American Library Association has been busy with during COVID-19:

• Library Funding
• Broadband Equity
• E-rate
• Fair Use and Balanced Copyright
• Equitable Access to Digital Content

Check out some of the ALA's recent advocating efforts:

• April 3 Joint letter to World Intellectual Property Organization on the importance of IP in finding solutions to the COVID-19 crisis
• March 27 American Libraries: "Federal Relief Package Supports Libraries"
• March 23 Statement from the ALA Executive Board recommending libraries leave WiFi open during closures
• March 19 Letter to FCC requesting clarification and rule waivers to allow libraries to increase public broadband access

Source ALA website

Source

Libraries=Strong Communities from ALA President May 2019

Libraries Present and Future