John Kerber, co-founder of WhoFi, presented a session entitled How Providing WiFi in Public Libraries Improves Communities at the 2020 SDLA conference. Libraries are stepping up to provide access to internet through free public WiFi, extending the reach of WiFi networks, and lending devices that enable internet access for everyone.
In case you missed the presentation, here are a few facts and stats you can pull out of your pocket when the opportunity arises.
- Access to education is related to access to the internet. That point has certainly been made by recent events. Who offers free access to internet? Libraries!
- In 2002, 5% of American jobs required high digital skills. In 2016, that number increased to 23%. Library WiFi provides equitable access to online information and opportunities.
- In rural America 85% of people use the internet, but 63% have home broadband. Library WiFi plays an important role in diminishing the digital divide.
- A library is not what it has; a library is what it does for its community.
Here's an impressive (but not exhaustive) list of things a library with WiFi does for a community:
online research resources access, homeschooling support, online coursework, higher education and financial aid applications, job search, online resume creation, job training courses, employment exams, employer correspondence, participation in ecommerce, research new skills, work remotely, access information about local government, apply for government benefits, complete the census, access legal resources, get health and medical information, access medical provider portals, access social media, read & send email, learn a language, create or post original media, support underserved communities
So, yes, public WiFi service is good for libraries and great for communities.
SDSL has Internet-related information and resources for public libraries: libguides.library.sd.gov/services/internet