Rural libraries face challenges in bridging the digital divide due to their patrons' low broadband adoption rates caused by higher costs, geographic isolation, and lack of knowledge. While government programs have provided funding to address infrastructure issues, rural libraries still struggle with maintaining outdated technology and providing user training and support without sufficient IT staff or training for librarians. To better serve remote rural communities in need of internet access, opportunities exist to simplify grant programs, increase flexibility in funding uses, and conduct more recent research through organizations advocating for rural libraries.

1. The Rural Library and
Broadband Access:
Challenges and Opportunity

2. The Digital Divide
• Concept arose in the 1990s, referring to
the gap between Internet haves and havenots
• Unequal access due to:
– Socioeconomic status, race, educational
attainment, rural, infrastructure, geography
• Rural areas face low adoption rates due to
cost, geographic isolation, lack of
knowledge

3. Solutions
• Government introduced E-Rate program in
1996, providing discounts to libraries and
schools
• Additional support from ARRA (2008- ),
National Broadband Initiative (2009 -)
• For all areas, especially rural, the public
library is looked to as an anchor institution

4. Rural Libraries
• Definition: Inconsistent; Not urban
• Used to lag far behind urban counterparts,
but today, nearly 100% offer Web access
• Still face large challenges in funding,
support, service delivery, patronage
• Can seize opportunity to add to service
delivery, advocacy, community leadership

5. Economic Challenges
• Lots of funding has been put into place to
establish connections
• Increased maintenance/updating costs
• Human costs:
– IT Staff? Nope.
– Staff’s time for user training/assistance
– Little training available for librarians

6. Geographic and Cultural
Challenges
• Rural folks are among those who might
benefit most from effective access, but
they are among least aware
– Increased need for library to promote/educate
– Local governments not likely to increase
funds
• Geographic isolation makes it difficult to
get support service and for patrons to
access library

7. Opportunities for Improvement
• Grants should be simplified so small/less
knowledgeable libraries can get them
• Grants should be more flexible to
accommodate unique needs
• ALA Committee on Rural, Native, and
Tribal Libraries of All Kinds and Clarion
University’s Center for the Study of Rural
Librarianship have contributed little in
recent research

8. Questions?
(If I haven’t put you to sleep)