Several pieces of federal legislation have been enacted in an attempt to provide uniform access to electronic information technology; these include:
- The Telecommunications Act of 1996, which funds the E-Rate programs for libraries administered by the Universal Services Administrative Company.
- The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) of 1996, which funds the Grants to States program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Both the E-Rate and LSTA programs place priority on broadening access to electronic information technology. For instance, the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) states among its objectives: “to support programs that make library resources more accessible to urban and rural localities, low-income residents, and others having difficulty using library services.” (Source: MHAL – Introduction to LSTA).
According to Whinston (2004), the primary strategy of these programs has been to “strengthen community access points in underserved and disadvantaged areas”, rather than to increase residential access. These efforts can be viewed as analogous to telephone universal service programs of the 20th century which subsidized installation of public telephones in low-income areas.
Universal residential access to electronic information and services in the United States remains elusive. A study of internet access in U.S. households reported by Whinston shows that significant disparities in access exist based on income and education levels. As an example, households in the lowest income group (less than $15,000 annually) are six times less likely to have internet access than those in the highest income group (over $75,000 annually). Smaller disparities exist based on urban vs. rural residency.
Discussion questions:
What do you think about current federal policy on technology access? Might there be more effective or direct ways to bridge the “digital divide” than the current strategy?
References
ALA Policies on Information Technology and Access:
1. ALA Office for Information Technology Policy, http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oitp/index.cfm
2. ALA - Principles for the Networked World, http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/wo/referenceab/principles/principles.pdf
3. ALA - Economic Barriers to Information Access, http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/statementspols/statementsif/interpretations/economicbarriers.cfm
4. ALA - Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks, http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/statementspols/statementsif/interpretations/accesselectronic.cfm
Digital Divide in the U.S.:
5. Whinston, A. B. (2004). IT policies and issues: US and the Americas. In M. Kagami, M. Tsuji & E. Giovannetti (Ed). Information Technology Policy and the Digital Divide: Lessons for Developing Countries (pp. 81-87) [electronic resource]. Cheltenham, UK; Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar, c2004.
Federal Programs for Information Access:
6. Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund (“E-Rate”), http://www.usac.org/sl/about/overview-program.aspx
7. McCallion, G. (2003). Federal Aid to Libraries: The Library Services and Technology Act. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, Washington DC, USA. http://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs/permalink/meta-crs-3838:1
8. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) – State Programs, http://www.imls.gov/programs/programs.shtm
9. MHAL – Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), http://www.michigan.gov/lsta
8 comments:
I am glad to see that steps are being taken to attempt to broaden and universalize digital access. I found it slightly ironic, however, that federal money is being used to broaden access while at the same time it is being used to install and maintain filtering programs that restrict access. And because filtering is being done in libraries, which is where many of the under-served go for their web access, these two goals seem at odds with each other.
I think the idea of working to bring access to points in a community rather than to individuals themselves; it seems a more attainable goal. However, if such access is restricted with filters, is the goal really being met?
It seems that the use of filters simply highlights the disparity between those who have unrestricted access at home and those who must depend on restricted (and sometimes over-filtered) access to information. I think this is an issue that will need to be addressed before the goals of universal access and protecting children online can be met.
Barbara, good point on the distinction betweeen "universal" and "unrestricted" access. It's especially ironic that the federal broadening and restricting/filtering of access are part of the same government program (E-Rate)!
I suppose the effort to bring library services including access to the internet to those that have difficulty getting those services is a good thing, even if it is filtered. This doesn't mean that the inherent controversy is not acknowledged. But if one thinks of the ease computer access and internet literacy brings to those that are looking for information, it is not at all a small thing.
I'm thinking of rural areas that have to rely on printed material available at the local library, or urban citizenry that cannot afford a computer and internet subscription.
However, I wonder what those programs may be specifically, that the LSTA lists in its goals. Would they deal with lack of transportation to the technology access points? Would they increase access at schools? Does it also mean training in computer and informaton literacy?
See, based on what actually really comes out of these efforts, it may be a very worthwile initiative- while we keep debates about filtering alive.
One thing that noticed about the LSTA program goals is that they want to increase community access points, but, as Kinga pointed out, how are they, or are they at all going to deal with the issue of lack of transportation to these community access points?
Maybe a suggestion would be to sponsor a "technology mobile" that would pick people up and take them to libraries or one of the community access points for computer access or computer literacy training? It is a good idea, but the major issue with the plan is funding. Also, if you are bringing people into certain community access points, I think that the access points need to be in places where people will appreciate the fact that someone else can help people get to the access points. There may be some communities who want to keep ignoring the issue of the digital divide and NOT let people into their community for access to libraries or the Internet. Controlling who has access and who does not, even if we come up with a solution to transport people to technology still brings us back to the digital divide. We must continue to educate people who don't face digital divide problems so that they can better understand what those who do face the digital divide deal with. Someone talked about a poverty simulatation that their library had for the staff recently. A"digital divide" simulation type of program would really raise awareness for patrons and staff in libraries. One of these programs could help fund ways to bring people to community access points for technology.
Public schools and libraries have remarkably similar goals: to educate the public through public funds. Perhaps we could combine their functions to deal with the digital divide. Elementary schools, particularly in dense urban areas, are within walking distance of most students. There are usually fewer middle schools and high schools, which generally take in students from a larger geographic area, but are still located in residential neighborhoods. There are also more schools than libraries in a community. If these school libraries were turned into community access points, public access to the Internet and computers would be greatly increased.
This would not have to interfere with student learning. They could be open to the public on the weekends and in the evenings. Families could come to learn together. Older students could maybe earn extra credit by teaching computing courses. Of course, this could cost a lot of money to have staff to run this, so perhaps starting slow, with just a few days per week would be best. On those days, the local public library could close early and staff could work at the community access points. Relevant books and other resources could be brought via "book mobile" to the schools and be checked out there.
This is just an idea of how two institutions with similar goals could work together to improve their results. The digital divide is already bad, and will only get worse as this recession continues. Something needs to be done to help all people learn.
Great points, Katherine! I think it would be interesting to create more partnerships between public libraries and schools. Yes, we'd have to start slow and it would cost a lot of money, but if it helps decrease the digital divide it would be a worthwile investment. One of the libraries I went to for my library visits is a public library with a formal partnership with the area school system. I was really impressed to see how well it works and all of the effort they put in to making sure that students succeed. If a public library can create such a positive partnership, schools should try to help in creating public access points to cut down (or atleast try to) on digital divide issues. An idea like this would be great for publishing in a library journal as a research study.
This is a nice way to allow patrons to access information. I like the mentioning of focusing on particular areas instead of several individual locations. This increases accessibility and also increases the chance of having better equipment etc. per location. It would be better if there could be a more widespread offering however I do not believe it would be as good in terms of the provisions.
I think Katherine's idea of a partnership between schools and libraries for reducing the divide has some potential for urban areas. Could this approach be adapted for rural areas, where distances between schools and potential learners are much greater? Or would another strategy for sparsely-populated areas be necessary?
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