Kiera Sunderland
Covid-19 knocked the world off its axis and left libraries scrambling to figure out how to provide their services digitally. In between learning how to offer reference interviews over the phone and storytime via YouTube, libraries also had to navigate how they could reach members of the community who didn’t have access to the internet, data, or personal devices. This challenge has been dubbed the “digital divide”. The digital divide is defined as “a socioeconomic concept. It is focused on the gap between demographic groups with full access to modern communication and information technology and those with lesser, limited, and no access” (Gale Opposing Viewpoints). The digital divide is much more complex than just distinguishing between the haves and the have-nots in today’s digital age. It is a perplexing societal phenomenon that can include those who have no access to the internet, those who don’t understand how to use the internet even if they have access, and those who have poor quality connectivity (Gale Opposing Viewpoints). While the Covid-19 pandemic was an arduous time for everyone it forced libraries to get creative about how to bridge this gap and pivot! I would argue that even though the pandemic is past us now that as library workers we should continue to use the same ingenuity and resourcefulness to contribute to aiding in the elimination of the digital divide. Below are just a few clever ideas that libraries implemented during Covid which I feel are still relevant and can serve as inspiration for libraries seeking to create a more equitable future.
Drive-in Wi-Fi
During Covid, many libraries expanded their Wi-Fi to cover their parking lots so patrons could connect to the internet without having to enter the library or could access the internet when the library was closed. Public library open hours often don’t fit the needs of all patrons. For example, my local library is only open on weekdays from noon to five which doesn’t fit the schedule of many working patrons. Offering drive-up Wi-Fi is an inexpensive way to help more patrons have access to the internet during closed hours. Libraries can use “equipment that permits the expansion of existing broadband connectivity… by using networks that are already funded by state and federal monies” (Garcia-Ortiz).
Hotspots and Devices
Libraries offer unique items such as seeds, baking dishes, or museum passes to be lent out to patrons. While these items meet the recreational needs of patrons, libraries should consider offering hotspots or devices for circulation (Donaldson & Martin). This wouldn’t fix the digital divide because patrons would eventually have to return the technologies, but it would help patrons be able to Zoom in for an interview or meet with a doctor via a telehealth portal.
Education
Lastly, during Covid libraries worked to compile bibliographies to help patrons identify free or reduced-priced services that they might be eligible for. Libraries are sometimes seen as social workers: connecting patrons to information and services. Maintaining ties with cable companies or working with nonprofits that sell refurbished devices is a continuation of a practice that has been in place for years.
Scan this QR to read the 2021 State of America’s Libraries: Special Report on Covid-19. Pay special attention to the article on page 12 which discusses Wi-fi and Broadband Access.
References
Correia, Ana-Paula. “Healing the Digital Divide during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Quarterly Review of Distance Education, vol. 21, no. 1, Jan. 2020, pp. 13–21.
"Digital Divide." Gale Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Gale, 2022. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, Accessed 11 May 2023.
Dondalson, Melissa, and William Martin. “Collaborating to Close: The digital Divide.” Computers in Libraries, vol. 41, no. 2, Mar. 2021, pp. 4–7.
Garcia-Ortiz, Francisco. “How Yakima Valley Libraries Took On COVID-19 and the Digital Divide.” Computers in Libraries, vol. 41, no. 5, June 2021, pp. 16–20.
Comments
Post a Comment