Civic Nation and the U.S. Department of Education are partnering to launch Online For All with an Affordable Connectivity Program Week of Action June 14 to 22, 2023.  Your library can show support for ensuring broadband acess for all by participating in this initiative.

It’s likely your library has already posted flyers and helped staff to learn the basics about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) that provides discounts on the monthly recurring cost of internet service and a device for qualifying households.  If not, learn more about the ACP benefits for qualifiying households and use the Outreach Toolkit and other available resources to promote the program to your community to address broadband affordability.

Now, your library can sign up to join the Week of Action at onlineforall.org if you commit to taking actions during June 14-22 such as these listed below:

• Host an ACP awareness or enrollment event
• Spread awareness of ACP at your existing programs
• Email your audience with ACP inforrmation (share in your newsletter)
• Post on social media with #OnlineForAll and uplift the content of others
• Write a blog post or send an op-ed to local media about broadband access, affordability, and equity

Learn more at the about the plans for the week of action including links to other resources: Online For All Week of Action Overview

As always, know that libraries are key community anchor institutions serving an important role in advancing digital equity.  Stay engaged and continue to improve technology plans to reduce barriers and improve community access to broadband.  Watch for more opportunities to participate and be a part of the solution to bridge digital divide as the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority drafts its Five Year Action Plan and Digital Equity Plan.  Libraries may continue to reach out to ccleary@pa.gov to share thoughts about what you offer and what you need to ensure your community has equitable broadband access.