The Digital Divide By: Rachel Schneider

Libraries and the digital divide

The digital divide is a term to describe inequity in digital and technology availability. According to the Close the Gap Foundation, there are two main issues, the first is “access to high-speed internet” and the second is “access to reliable devices” (Close the Gap Foundation, 2023). Not only is it important for people to have access to the internet and devices, it is also necessary for them to have the skills to operate in a digital world. According to a 2022 report from the American Library Association, libraries are capable of many possibilities to close the digital divide including:

Providing internet access in a community
Help build digital literacy skills
Create informed internet users
Help workforce development
Help connect residents to social services and telehealth resources
Offer technology solutions like lending computers, tablets, hotspots, etc. (American Library Association, 2022).

Libraries can be a wonderful resource to help individuals find success and ease access, especially in underserved communities and populations. Libraries can be amazing resources for technology assistance because the reach of a public library can extend into areas that corporations or schools cannot. Additionally, libraries have trained staff who are “experienced in tackling digital equity gaps, boosting literacies, and developing collections and resources relevant to local needs” (Pelayo-Lozada, 2023). With the help of federal funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) libraries can increase awareness of available technology and utilize public funding to support these services (American Library Association, 2022).

References

American Library Association. (2022, Oct 1). Leverage libraries to achieve digital equity for all. American Library Association. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/telecom/broadband/Digital_Equity_Report_110222.pdf Close the Gap Foundation. (N.D.) Digital divide: What is the digital divide. Close the Gap Foundation. https://www.closethegapfoundation.org/glossary/digital-divide

Pelayo-Lozada, L.K. (2023, Feb 02). Leveraging Libraries to End the Digital Divide. State Tech Magazine. https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2023/02/leveraging-libraries-end-digital-divide.

Comments

Gadgets by Mayada TC Leonard

These are the gadgets that I added to my blog that connects with Serving Diverse Needs with Assistive Technology. This is useful for my blog because the reader, may be able to read and understand the illustrations that support the blog/story. Sometimes when reading things a person may not understand unless they read with pictures and illustrations showing what the subject/topic is. Mayada TC Leonard is my name. The link to my blog and gadgets added to the blog is located at https://palomarlitassistivetech.blogspot.com/2023/05/serving-diverse-needs-with-assistive.html Mayada TC Leonard

Gadget: Archive by Rachel Schneider

I chose to add the Archive Gadget so readers can quickly jump to older posts that are kept in the archive. This can be a helpful tool when readers are searching for something they may have already read and want to reread, it can also help a new reader have more understanding of how long this blog has been going and perhaps search for something from a specific time period. Just hit the menu button to find the Archive!

Introduction from Rachel

Hello! This is my first time creating a blog and I went through the process of setting up the Blogger site and inviting co-creators. I also picked out a theme for the background. Blogging should be a fun experience, I can't wait to get started!

Google Books and the Beanstalk

By: Jessica Stephens

Introduction

Hello! I am new to blogger and am looking forward to increasing my knowledge on the program. I believe this will be a great tool to have under my belt for any future careers in technology. I went ahead and added an appropriate photo from Penn Creative Strategy a company that promote inclusion for all people with disabilities.

Introduction from Kiera

Greetings! My name is Kiera, one of the contributors to the LT 130 Libraries and Assistive Technology blog. I added the resources widget. The widget allows contributors to post websites or videos that they have found informative. What got me interested in assistive technology is my younger brother; he has Central Auditory Processing Disorder and dyslexia. Through his experiences I have been introduced to some wonderful assistive technologies and have been able to see firsthand their impacts. I hope that what I will share will be of benefit to the reader. I am currently working towards becoming a school librarian so most of what I will be sharing will be linked to education and learning. Below I have shared an infographic explaining a variety of assistive technologies that are commonly used in the classroom. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at khsunderland09@gmail.com. Image from Middle Tennesse State University Center for the Study and Treatmen...

Pivot: Libraries, the Digital Divide, and Covid-19

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 th...

Gadget: Labels

Kiera Sunderland I added the gadget "labels." This allows the user to search by label when they open the side bar. It helps to filter posts. I believe this tool is beneficial for the user to identify what posts may be of interest to them rather than having to scroll through the home page and archives. I also went through my previous posts and added labels to them.

Gadget - Video Resources by Vanessa Guevara

Click on the menu to see a great video resource describing how you can gain access to assistive technologies at your library!

Assistive Technology by Mayada TC Leonard

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Mayada TC Leonard Email: mayadatcleonard@gmail.com Accessibility Assistive Technology Reference: Assistive Technology: Bridge The Gap (dailypioneer.com) Reference: Assistive Technology: Meaning and Examples (wecapable.com) Reference Images: Assistive Technology: Bridge The Gap (dailypioneer.com) Assistive Technology: Meaning and Examples (wecapable.com)

Search This Blog