At the Denver Public Library, People Skills are the Most Important Quality When Choosing Digital Navigators

Following up on the release of The Human Infrastructure of Broadband: Looking Back, Looking Around, and Looking Ahead, we are providing examples of core, complementary, and coalition models for digital equity work. With 27 locations, the Denver Public Library (DPL) is an innovative hub for digital equity throughout the city, serving more than 700,000 residents. The library provides more than 1,400 public internet computers that receive more than 250,000 uses annually, as well as free public Wi-Fi. Devices and internet hotspots also are available for checkout. The library offers a variety of resources to learn new technology skills, from classes to one-on-one help in English, Vietnamese, and Spanish. The range of skills that are taught also varies widely—everything from moving a mouse and learning the parts of the computer to using spreadsheets, WordPress, and introductory coding in Python. While the library is open to all, staff specifically target outreach to people experiencing homelessness, justice-involved individuals, immigrants, refugees, people who speak a language other than English at home, and people with intellectual and physical disabilities. “Challenging Inequity” is one of the Denver Public Library’s five values in action, and its mission is “Together, we create welcoming spaces where all are free to explore and connect.”