The Public Library Association and Microsoft announce initiative to help expand internet access in rural communities during COVID-19 crisis

The Public Library Association (PLA) and Microsoft announced a new initiative to increase access to technology in rural communities during the COVID-19 crisis. Microsoft will provide funding to help public libraries in rural communities extend Wi-Fi access by installing public Wi-Fi access points on or near library grounds. According to a recent survey of public library responses to COVID-19, less than 40 percent of public libraries have located Wi-Fi access points outside their buildings, and only 8 percent reported trying to expand that service. Through this joint effort, PLA and Microsoft hope to accelerate the deployment of Wi-Fi access points outside of libraries, particularly those in rural areas that lack widespread high-speed internet access.

Rural public libraries in 28 states served by Airband and TechSpark will be eligible to apply through PLA to receive hardware and support to establish public Wi-Fi access points. To help rural communities reap the benefits of broadband connectivity, PLA and Microsoft are providing free digital skilling resources that libraries and the communities they serve can access during and after the crisis. This offering is part of PLA’s DigitalLead: Rural Libraries Creating New Possibilities program, a Microsoft-supported effort to help rural libraries with technology equipment and skilling resources.