Libraries and the digital divide

Connectivity with the internet is essential for an individual to be productive and to take advantage of economic opportunities in the increasingly digital world. This makes access to the internet of vital importance, but unfortunately this will not totally solve the problem as one is require to have the expertise to operate the devices and also comprehend the information that the internet provide. Bridging the digital divide requires us to have a all hands on deck approach and not just focus on access only but increasing the individuals capability and skills and also increasing affordable infrastructure for mass connectivity.

"Even as technology becomes more affordable and internet access seems increasingly ubiquitous, a “digital divide” between rich and poor remains. The rich and educated are still more likely than others to have good access to digital resources according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project. The digital divide has especially far-reaching consequences when it comes to education. For children in low-income school districts, inadequate access to technology can hinder them from learning the tech skills that are crucial to success in today’s economy."
http://www.digitalresponsibility.org/digital-divide-the-technology-gap-between-rich-and-poor

The library's internet is beginning to be the access point for an increasing number of people, who are unable to pay for the high cost of private internet service. Librarians are now beginning to see that more people are applying for jobs, getting their health care information at the library. Because of budget constrains the library cannot keep up with this increased demand in service, and thus unable to close the digital divide.  

Is the Serpent Eating Its Tail? The Digital Divide and African Americans

The Digital Divide is alive and well in America. What this means is the technology haves and the have-nots are continually growing further apart. Due to the pace of change in the field of computer technology, this divide widens faster in less time. Playing catch-up becomes an increasingly more difficult game to endure, with the government, public, and private sectors trying to invent ways to level the playing field. However, many of those who are left behind (Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, those with education below the high school level, single parent families, those with income less than $25,000/year) are trying to catch up themselves by accessing computers in community centers and libraries. The purpose of this study is to look at racial overtones to Internet access. It is assumed that it is important to have both computer and Internet access to compete in both school and work. By looking at how the Web is being used, ways can be suggested to make computer access easier and more convenient for African Americans, thereby increasing their interest in computer technology and information. The author provides a discussion on content and the Internet. He suggests three stages of the Digital Divide in America. The first stage is lack of computer access. The second stage is lack of access to the Internet, and the third stage is lack of expertise.

 Horton, Jacqueline. “Is the Serpent Eating Its Tail? The Digital Divide and African Americans.” Journal of Technology Studies, vol. 30, no. 4, Fall 2004, pp. 17–25. EBSCOhost, doi:10.21061/jots.v30i4.a.4.

The New Digital Divide: The Perception Problem | Navarrow Wright | TEDxSoleburySchool

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