ALA to FCC: Consider How Broadband Fosters Economic Opportunity

Help for both the workforce and small businesses

-- Library Journal, 12/07/2009

• Community hubs
• Service to the unemployed
• Business adoption
• Help with service providers

In comments (PDF) with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the American Library Association (ALA) highlighted the importance of public access computers and broadband Internet access in help libraries support workforce development, small business creation, life-long education, and access to government resources. 

The filing responded to the FCC’s call for comments regarding the relationship between economic development and broadband.  Excerpts are below.

I. Community Hubs
Public libraries go beyond stopgap measures in creating and supporting economic opportunity
In today’s economy, libraries across the nation are experiencing a constant demand for services related to job seeking and other employment issues. Today, library services commonly include, but are not limited to: job training and continuing education, resume writing, career counseling, and basic information literacy training, including digital literacy. These services most often require access to robust broadband.

The added value libraries offer includes job training, information, and digital literacy programs
Libraries are uniquely qualified to offer additional services that make broadband access more useful to their patrons. Many libraries report that patrons filling out job applications are often first-time computer users and need basic skills to be able to complete the application.... It is important to note that in addition to providing access to the Internet, libraries subscribe to numerous online databases…

II. Business adoption and usage
The library as a small business
Libraries have a dual role of serving the information needs of the public while many also operate as a small business. As a small business libraries have broadband needs that are unique when compared to those of other types of small businesses. Clearly, libraries need high capacity broadband connectivity to provide the services that their patrons need.

Broadband-enabled library services go beyond connectivity at public access terminals. Libraries also enable patrons who do have home access the ability to log on to the library’s website from an outside location.

Libraries need high capacity broadband to provide essential services to the general public
Libraries require stable and high capacity broadband service. As a multi-user setting, patrons access a variety of applications, websites, and other online resources at the same time the library’s integrated library system (ILS) operates the online public access catalog (OPAC) and other activities necessary to running the library (e.g., managing a local area network). Many libraries are incorporating Web 2.0 applications into their websites to encourage patron participation.

In fact, ALA contends that by providing a library with a fiber connection the entire community is likely to benefit from additional build-out from the library to both businesses and residential areas.

Effective negotiation requires open dialog between service providers and small businesses
ALA commends the Commission for seeking input on the types of information disclosures broadband service providers should make to potential customers. Though libraries provide access to advanced applications, many libraries are not equipped with adequate IT support, nor are librarians necessarily familiar with negotiating with service providers (this is especially true in small and rural libraries).

III. Broadband’s role in regional economic development
Libraries are critical institutions in supporting regional economic development
Libraries that partner with local or state economic development agencies redouble the reach and impact of these efforts. At the same time, libraries are reducing the operation costs and broadening the outreach of other local workforce development agencies, contributing to a stronger community network for job readiness and worker "retooling."

IV. Government-provided social benefit programs
Information literacy skills are critical to navigating online social benefit forms
ALA notes many libraries report the complexity of official websites and the forms required for government services are often so complex that many patrons cannot successfully complete an application. This problem is likely exacerbated in vulnerable populations that may be accessing the Internet for the first time when filing for social services.

V. Workforce development
The value of the public library’s suite of services cannot be overstated
Beyond providing basic services, libraries enrich their patron’s information needs with resources in a variety of formats. Librarians, experts in search technique, know that with the move to online resources, individuals seeking employment, business information, and skills training, may need assistance now more than ever. Specific populations, such as people recently laid off from long term employment, non-native English speakers, the older workforce, and new graduates often need targeted support.

Libraries not only provide access to federally supported job training and placement programs, they are also creating locally relevant employment services—often in conjunction with local or regional employment and workforce development agencies.