The Digital Divide and Efforts to Close that Gap

Image from Wickramage article on the World Summit Awards.

Since we mentioned the digital divide in previous blogs, this post will focus on the specific issues and public libraries combating that barrier. The digital divide is the lack of access to the internet and internet-compatible devices, including the lack of digital literacy to operate such devices and software (Stanford). We as libraries should care because the right to access should be universal and equitable, as interpreted from the Library Bill of Rights (ALA). Unfortunately, approximately 23 percent of Americans are affected by the digital divide in the US (Morgridge College of Education). Furthermore, about 17 percent of US students lack computers or the internet at home (Willcox on Consumer Reports).

As the government becomes digital, public libraries must endure through their budget to provide access, even if only in-house. Fortunately, grants fulfill such financial needs for schools and public libraries, with the requirement of internet filtering. The most widely known federal grant is the E-rate program found on the Federal Communications Commission website. Although I would overflow in such great appreciation for being able to provide some internet technology needs, filtering the internet pains me. Filtering software censors parts of the internet, but that is a consequence of protecting children and unwanted information in web searches.

Sheneman's Digital Divide cartoon on the NJ, True Jersey.

Other ways libraries are attempting to bridge the digital divide rose in recent years. As mentioned in the first post, hotspots are available for check-out. Libraries are boosting their wifi in the parking lots (Willcox on Consumer Reports). Some even go beyond and provide hotspot service in their bookmobile drives (13 News Now). It's not new that some public libraries even offer laptops or iPads; although, academic libraries have more funding to provide check-outs outside the institution like the Henry Madden Library at the California State University (Moore on The Collegian). Another academic library venture is providing libguides for online support for students (Cornell University Library), which public libraries can imitate through virtual library assistance and instruction to those in need.

We still have some work to do to close the Digital Divide, even with newer technologies developing. While we do not have to provide virtual reality goggles yet for every library, preparation for Web 3.0 is not possible with a gap in digital illiteracy.

• For a bibliography of digital divide literature, visit the Internet Public Library page here.

• For more information on internet filtering, visit:

  1. ALA's interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.

  2. Faulkner's post on OCLC.

  3. Caldwell-Stone's article on American Libraries.

  4. and the American Civil Liberties Union's extensive article on the issue involving the first amendment rights.