Leveraging Libraries to Advance Digital Equity

America’s libraries have deep experience in meeting digital equity needs for people of all ages and backgrounds with unparalleled reach and trust across the nation. Libraries are actively involved in a larger digital equity ecosystem, and often have long-established partnerships and relationships with local and regional groups that can be leveraged to achieve community broadband equity goals for vulnerable populations. Considering libraries' successful history in advancing digital equity, policymakers should leverage libraries’ expertise, experience, services, and existing connections at the state and local levels to avoid costly program duplication and accelerate planning, development, implementation, and operational efficiency. To create a future where everyone is fully connected and engaged online, each community needs to leverage all its assets—including non-profits, internet service providers, businesses, government agencies, schools, state libraries, etc.—to work together to understand the problems and implement appropriate solutions. Community-based digital equity coalitions are growing in number and sophistication throughout the nation. They combine the unique experiences and expertise of diverse organizations, as well as the lived experiences of unconnected and marginalized communities that may include people with disabilities, people of color, and low-income and/or rural residents to create a connected future. Libraries often lead and/or contribute to these coalitions.

[Larra Clark is the Deputy Director of the ALA Public Policy & Advocacy Office and the Public Library Association. Michelle Frisque is a broadband consultant for the American Library Association.]