Luke Swarthout lukeswarthout@nypl.org
Michelle Frisque mfrisque@chipublib.org
A Tale of Two Cities:
WiFi Lending in
Chicago and New York City
Luke Swarthout
lukeswarthout@nypl.org
Michelle Frisque
mfrisque@chipublib.org
THE BROADBAND INTERNET GAP
•  Across New York City, 27% of households lack
home internet access.
•  63% of New Yorkers with family income less than $20,000 a year
lack home internet access.
•  In the U.S. 30% of homes lack broadband
internet.
•  The number rises to 48% for families earning less than $30,000 a
year.
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
1
DIGITAL SKILLS GAP
•  15% of American adults do not use the internet
at all, and another 9% of adults use the internet
but not at home.
Source: Who’s Not Online and Why, Pew Internet Project
http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/09/25/whos-not-online-and-why/
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
2
WHY DOES HOME BROADBAND ADOPTION
MATTER?
1.  Homework gap
2.  Employment opportunities
3.  Libraries and schools are often closed when
Internet access is most crucial
4.  Increase civic engagement
5.  Access social services
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
3
BARRIERS TO HOME BROADBAND ADOPTION
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
4
Source: Horrigan, John. [2010]. Broadband Adoption and Use in America.
https://transition.fcc.gov/DiversityFAC/032410/consumer-survey-horrigan.pdf
Image Source: http://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/the-internet-is-important-to-everyone.html
•  Libraries expose
patrons to online
resources that show
the value of internet
access.
LIBRARIES ARE ALREADY CRUCIAL PLAYERS IN
BROADBAND ADOPTION
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
5
•  Libraries provide
training and support
so that patrons can
access and utilize
internet resources.
A NEW AREA/OPPORTUNITY FOR LIBRARIES TO
IMPACT HOME BROADBAND ADOPTION
New York City
OPTIONS FOR LIBRARIES TRYING TO IMPACT
HOME INTERNET COST
•  Amplify wifi signal inside library to
bleed into surrounding public space.
•  Rebroadcast library internet using
whitespace in surrounding community
•  Purchase and lend wifi hotspots to
patrons.
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
8
WHY NYPL CHOSE TO LEND WIFI HOTSPOTS
•  Low capital costs
•  Easy to lend
•  Works inside a patron’s home
•  Can target to priority families
•  Scalable (to a point)
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
9
SPRING 2014 PRE-PILOT
•  Last spring, NYPL lent 100 hotspots to students through
4 branch libraries. These devices pull a cellular phone
signal and distribute a local WiFi broadcast that can allow
internet-enabled devices like computers and
smartphones to connect to the Internet.
•  Devices: Clear HUB Express 3G hotspots
•  Service: Mobile Beacon
•  Lending period: 2 months, renewable for additional 2 months
•  Eligibility: families with students in Out of School Time or ESOL programs in
four branches
•  The successful pilot led to:
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
10
LIBRARY HOTSPOT PILOT SERVICE DETAILS
•  Device:
•  Netgear Zing Hotspots
•  Can connect up to 9 devices to the internet
•  Service:
•  Sprint is the service provider in partnership
with Mobile Beacon
•  1 year service contracts with unlimited
service
•  Cost to libary is approximately $30/device
and $13/month for service on Sprint
network.
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
12
LIBRARY HOTSPOT PILOT
A partnership between the 3 New York Public Library Systems. Each employed
different distribution methods:
•  New York Public Library (NYPL)
•  Lending period of 6 months, one renewal allowed up to a year
•  Targeted 4000 students in NYPL’s adult literacy and out of school time programs.
•  Later began registration-required Lending Events at branches in high need neighborhoods
•  Queens Public Library (QPL)
•  Lending period of 1 month, three renewals allowed
•  Targeted high need branches, devices lent on a first-come, first-served basis
•  Brooklyn Public Library (BPL)
•  Lending period of 1 year
•  Targeted high need branches, devices lent on a first-come first served basis to those who attend an
orientation session
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
13
PROGRAM COSTS AND FUNDING
•  New York City Libraries received $2 million in funding
from:
•  Google
•  The Knight Foundation
•  The Robin Hood Foundation
•  The Open Society Foundation
•  Potential sources of funding for library broadband efforts:
•  Foundations
•  Elected officials
•  Corporate Partners
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
14
KEY QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN LENDING
HOTSPOTS
•  Length of device loan
•  Number of devices to loan
•  Speed/data plan on devices
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
15
ChicagoChicago
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
18
ShortTermGoals
•  Increased comfort with
digital technology
•  Increase in user
perception that the
Internet is relevant to
them
MediumTermGoals
•  Increased ability to use
the Internet across a
broad range of goals
•  Participants taking
steps to acquire
Internet access for him/
herself via one of
several low-cost
options
•  Reported improvement
in ability to navigate
education, career and
other critical activities
online in order to
achieve personal goals
LongTermGoals
•  Increased
Internet
participation in
the community
areas where this
service is
available
THE PILOT
•  Funded by Knight Foundation and Google
•  Launched in 3 branches: Greater Grand
Crossing, Douglass, and Brighton Park
•  100 hotspots at each location; 10 will be kits that
include a hotspot and a Chromebook or Surface
tablet (July)
•  CyberNavigators available for one-on-one
coaching
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
19
THE PILOT
•  Hotspots can be checked out for 3 weeks and
may be renewed up to 15 times (if no holds)
•  Items must be returned to the lending branch
•  Items are holdable but must be picked up and
returned to the lending branch
•  CPL reserves the right to turn off hotspot 3 days
after it overdue
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
20
MANAGE MOBILITY
•  Staged all mobile devices (including: restricting
access to administrative password, disabling
roaming, customized some selections, etc.)
•  Asset tagging and management of all items
•  Reporting (both real-time and long term)
•  Can turn off hotspot connectivity (and turn back
on when it is returned)
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
22
NEXT STEPS
•  Launch at 3 more locations before the end of
summer
•  Fall: explore how we want to expand the
program
•  Revise program based on patron and staff
feedback
June 26, 2015
ALA: A Tale of Two Cities
23
Luke Swarthout lukeswarthout@nypl.org
Michelle Frisque mfrisque@chipublib.org
Michelle Frisque mfrisque@chipublib.org
Luke Swarthout lukeswarthout@nypl.org
Thanks!
Program Evaluation
http://bit.ly/litaevals

A Tale of Two Cities: NYPL and CPL Wi-Fi Lending Projects

  • 1.
    Luke Swarthout lukeswarthout@nypl.org MichelleFrisque mfrisque@chipublib.org A Tale of Two Cities: WiFi Lending in Chicago and New York City Luke Swarthout lukeswarthout@nypl.org Michelle Frisque mfrisque@chipublib.org
  • 2.
    THE BROADBAND INTERNETGAP •  Across New York City, 27% of households lack home internet access. •  63% of New Yorkers with family income less than $20,000 a year lack home internet access. •  In the U.S. 30% of homes lack broadband internet. •  The number rises to 48% for families earning less than $30,000 a year. June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 1
  • 3.
    DIGITAL SKILLS GAP • 15% of American adults do not use the internet at all, and another 9% of adults use the internet but not at home. Source: Who’s Not Online and Why, Pew Internet Project http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/09/25/whos-not-online-and-why/ June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 2
  • 4.
    WHY DOES HOMEBROADBAND ADOPTION MATTER? 1.  Homework gap 2.  Employment opportunities 3.  Libraries and schools are often closed when Internet access is most crucial 4.  Increase civic engagement 5.  Access social services June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 3
  • 5.
    BARRIERS TO HOMEBROADBAND ADOPTION June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 4 Source: Horrigan, John. [2010]. Broadband Adoption and Use in America. https://transition.fcc.gov/DiversityFAC/032410/consumer-survey-horrigan.pdf Image Source: http://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/the-internet-is-important-to-everyone.html
  • 6.
    •  Libraries expose patronsto online resources that show the value of internet access. LIBRARIES ARE ALREADY CRUCIAL PLAYERS IN BROADBAND ADOPTION June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 5 •  Libraries provide training and support so that patrons can access and utilize internet resources.
  • 7.
    A NEW AREA/OPPORTUNITYFOR LIBRARIES TO IMPACT HOME BROADBAND ADOPTION
  • 8.
  • 9.
    OPTIONS FOR LIBRARIESTRYING TO IMPACT HOME INTERNET COST •  Amplify wifi signal inside library to bleed into surrounding public space. •  Rebroadcast library internet using whitespace in surrounding community •  Purchase and lend wifi hotspots to patrons. June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 8
  • 10.
    WHY NYPL CHOSETO LEND WIFI HOTSPOTS •  Low capital costs •  Easy to lend •  Works inside a patron’s home •  Can target to priority families •  Scalable (to a point) June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 9
  • 11.
    SPRING 2014 PRE-PILOT • Last spring, NYPL lent 100 hotspots to students through 4 branch libraries. These devices pull a cellular phone signal and distribute a local WiFi broadcast that can allow internet-enabled devices like computers and smartphones to connect to the Internet. •  Devices: Clear HUB Express 3G hotspots •  Service: Mobile Beacon •  Lending period: 2 months, renewable for additional 2 months •  Eligibility: families with students in Out of School Time or ESOL programs in four branches •  The successful pilot led to: June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 10
  • 13.
    LIBRARY HOTSPOT PILOTSERVICE DETAILS •  Device: •  Netgear Zing Hotspots •  Can connect up to 9 devices to the internet •  Service: •  Sprint is the service provider in partnership with Mobile Beacon •  1 year service contracts with unlimited service •  Cost to libary is approximately $30/device and $13/month for service on Sprint network. June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 12
  • 14.
    LIBRARY HOTSPOT PILOT Apartnership between the 3 New York Public Library Systems. Each employed different distribution methods: •  New York Public Library (NYPL) •  Lending period of 6 months, one renewal allowed up to a year •  Targeted 4000 students in NYPL’s adult literacy and out of school time programs. •  Later began registration-required Lending Events at branches in high need neighborhoods •  Queens Public Library (QPL) •  Lending period of 1 month, three renewals allowed •  Targeted high need branches, devices lent on a first-come, first-served basis •  Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) •  Lending period of 1 year •  Targeted high need branches, devices lent on a first-come first served basis to those who attend an orientation session June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 13
  • 15.
    PROGRAM COSTS ANDFUNDING •  New York City Libraries received $2 million in funding from: •  Google •  The Knight Foundation •  The Robin Hood Foundation •  The Open Society Foundation •  Potential sources of funding for library broadband efforts: •  Foundations •  Elected officials •  Corporate Partners June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 14
  • 16.
    KEY QUESTIONS TOCONSIDER WHEN LENDING HOTSPOTS •  Length of device loan •  Number of devices to loan •  Speed/data plan on devices June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 15
  • 17.
  • 19.
    June 26, 2015 ALA:A Tale of Two Cities 18 ShortTermGoals •  Increased comfort with digital technology •  Increase in user perception that the Internet is relevant to them MediumTermGoals •  Increased ability to use the Internet across a broad range of goals •  Participants taking steps to acquire Internet access for him/ herself via one of several low-cost options •  Reported improvement in ability to navigate education, career and other critical activities online in order to achieve personal goals LongTermGoals •  Increased Internet participation in the community areas where this service is available
  • 20.
    THE PILOT •  Fundedby Knight Foundation and Google •  Launched in 3 branches: Greater Grand Crossing, Douglass, and Brighton Park •  100 hotspots at each location; 10 will be kits that include a hotspot and a Chromebook or Surface tablet (July) •  CyberNavigators available for one-on-one coaching June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 19
  • 21.
    THE PILOT •  Hotspotscan be checked out for 3 weeks and may be renewed up to 15 times (if no holds) •  Items must be returned to the lending branch •  Items are holdable but must be picked up and returned to the lending branch •  CPL reserves the right to turn off hotspot 3 days after it overdue June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 20
  • 23.
    MANAGE MOBILITY •  Stagedall mobile devices (including: restricting access to administrative password, disabling roaming, customized some selections, etc.) •  Asset tagging and management of all items •  Reporting (both real-time and long term) •  Can turn off hotspot connectivity (and turn back on when it is returned) June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 22
  • 24.
    NEXT STEPS •  Launchat 3 more locations before the end of summer •  Fall: explore how we want to expand the program •  Revise program based on patron and staff feedback June 26, 2015 ALA: A Tale of Two Cities 23
  • 27.
    Luke Swarthout lukeswarthout@nypl.org MichelleFrisque mfrisque@chipublib.org Michelle Frisque mfrisque@chipublib.org Luke Swarthout lukeswarthout@nypl.org Thanks! Program Evaluation http://bit.ly/litaevals