Summary:

One-time experimental grant awarded to Simmons College, New America's Open Technology Institute, and Internet2, to examine how advanced broadband measurement capabilities can support the infrastructure and services needed to respond to the digital demands of public library users across the United States.

The project will gather quantitative and qualitative data from public libraries across the country to: 1) understand the broadband speeds and quality of service that public libraries receive; 2) assess how well broadband service and infrastructure are supporting their communities' digital needs; 3) understand broadband network usage and capacity; and 4) increase their knowledge of networked services and connectivity needs.

Eligible Recipients:

Anchor Institution; Local Government

Eligible Recipients Detail:

Public libraries

Eligible Purpose:

Anchor Institution Infrastructure

Eligible Purpose Detail:

The pilot project worked with three state library agencies and two museum organizations to bolster digital inclusion initiatives in tribal and rural communities. The five corps members worked with community stakeholders, anchor institutions, leaders, and advocates to discover local digital inclusion-related needs and advance digital inclusion projects.