Keeping Communities Connected: Library Broadband Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The American Library Association released its new report "Keeping Communities Connected: Library Broadband Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic." Key takeaways include:

• Libraries nationwide have kept communities connected during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing outdoor Wi-Fi, hotspot lending, and virtual and in-building resources and technology support. Federal aid has helped libraries to improve and expand these critical services.
• Library staff responded quickly to the unfolding public health crisis, leveraging their knowledge of local connectivity gaps and community needs to partner with community organizations, local governments, and businesses to offer broadband service.
• Investments in library broadband capacity, Wi-Fi, and related devices and services made during the pandemic helped not only to address immediate needs, but also to strengthen libraries to support post-pandemic economic recovery.
• While emergency funding has been a needed boost, long-term investment in broadband is also needed as the ability of libraries to provide connectivity is tied to the availability of broadband infrastructure and funding for digital inclusion programs.