Helping Public Libraries Improve Broadband Services | Compendium

Compendium

News for Pennsyslvania Libraries

Helping Public Libraries Improve Broadband Services

by | Mar 15, 2019 | Academic Libraries, Broadband, Glenn R. Miller Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Libraries, Grants and Other Funding Opportunities, Professional Development, Resources of Interest

Glenn R. Miller

Glenn Miller, Deputy Secretary & Commissioner for Libraries

 


Pennsylvania Department of Education

Office of Commonwealth Libraries
Glenn Miller, Deputy Secretary & Commissioner for Libraries

 

The Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) has awarded a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant to the Keystone Initiative for Network Based Education and Research (KINBER) to help improve public librarians’ knowledge and management of broadband services and library technology infrastructure.*

The project, called Toward Gigabit Libraries in Pennsylvania, will provide funding to:

  • Determine Pennsylvania public libraries’ existing broadband connectivity and awareness;
  • Provide training and education for public librarians through in-person workshops, virtual events; and
  • Have KINBER make about 30 public library site visits to help libraries use a Pennsylvania-based Broadband Toolkit.

Later this spring, OCL will ask public libraries to complete KINBER’s survey to help us assess existing broadband connectivity and knowledge regarding these services.  Libraries that complete the survey will be eligible for the first round of library site visits.

Background

This project builds upon a 2016-2018 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant to Internet2 to help public and tribal librarians across the country learn about their current broadband infrastructure and internal information technology environment.  KINBER was one of several research and education network partners that worked on this national project,  Toward Gigabit Libraries.  Internet2’s grant led to the development of a Broadband Toolkit (.docx) and Broadband Improvement Plan template (.docx).

More Information
For more information about KINBER’s new Toward Gigabit Libraries in Pennsylvania project, or to request a public library site visit, please contact KINBER at info@kinber.org. (Remember: Libraries that complete the survey will be eligible for the first round of library site visits.)

As more details about this project become available, OCL will share any news and opportunities via our electronic email lists.

Project Funding

This project is made possible in part by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries.

*Full Disclosure Notice: While I currently serve as a KINBER board member, I did not participate in the preparation, submission, scoring or selection of this proposal for an award.  Grants were awarded to proposals that were the most competitive and closely aligned with the goals and outcomes outlined in Pennsylvania’s 2018-2022 LSTA Five-Year Plan (PDF)

Glenn


Glenn R. Miller | Deputy Secretary & Commissioner for Libraries
Pennsylvania Department of Education | Office of Commonwealth Libraries
Room 200 Forum Building
607 South Drive | Harrisburg, PA  17120-0600
Phone:  717-783-2646  |  www.statelibrary.pa.gov   |  @PaDeptofEd
www.facebook.com/PADepartmentofEducation  |  pinterest.com/PADeptOfEd
This communication is issued on the Deputy Secretary’s behalf by Jonelle Darr (jodarr@pa.gov  717-783-5725)