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Public libraries are where people come to enhance their education, develop digital literacy, and build skills to thrive academically, professionally, and socially. They serve as a fourth place beyond home, school, and work, where residents of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds can congregate and build community. With a wide range of populations including students, seniors, veterans, and immigrants, libraries bring together diverse communities and provide access to services and programs for those who need them.
In Harris County, the number of households without home internet is almost
200K
The Harris County Public Library (HCPL) serves approximately 4.7 million people in the greater Houston, Texas area. It’s a giant space, encompassing 1,700 square miles and is one of the most diverse areas in the state with 145 spoken languages. There are 26 HCPL branches located throughout the county that serve as community pillars and incubators of innovation to provide the necessary tools that inspire creativity, expand education, and promote digital citizenship.
Bridging the digital divide.
Libraries offer a wide assortment of digital materials for those living in areas where high-speed home internet is difficult to access. It’s an unfortunate reality for too many community members that there’s a digital divide in technology literacy—and in access to reliable, high-speed internet. In Harris County, almost 200,000 households don’t have home internet.1
To encourage technology literacy and help close the digital divide, Harris County Public Library partnered with
“Community members of every stripe are uplifted when libraries provide resources that support career readiness, workforce development, telehealth services, employment transition, STEM programs, and financial and digital literacy programs.”
The program is intended to supply digital resources that bolster community engagement, fuel innovation, and expand educational opportunities. “We hope that the HCPL Connected participants think of us as their online library home. We believe this program serves as a gateway to all of the wonderful benefits that citizens can reap from their library without even walking through the door of it,” said Megan LeMaster, Division Director of Research and Development at HCPL.
The digital divide represents a gap between the connected and unconnected. As technology continues to advance, that gap becomes wider and more challenging for vulnerable populations to catch up. That’s one of the reasons why the HCPL Connected program is so important—it provides access to reliable internet service that can benefit all residents of Harris County.
Community members of every stripe are uplifted when libraries provide resources that support career readiness, workforce development, telehealth services, employment transition, STEM programs, and financial and digital literacy programs, all of which collectively expand educational opportunities for learners of any age.
Expanding education through reliable connectivity.
The percent of adults over 65 who have a home internet connection is just
64%
When it comes to education,
Public libraries are community-learning centers that supply students, teachers, and families with more than just access to books, research material, and a place to work, study, and collaborate. They also act as a catalyst in coordinating educational initiatives with schools and community organizations, providing ESL programs and internet access for those who have trouble getting online at home. In fact, libraries are one of the most reliable sources for access to high-speed internet.
“Giving students access to digital tools that can supplement traditional teaching and provide opportunity to practice is a differentiator.”
In recent years, demand for online learning and access to digital classrooms has increased exponentially. And there’s a plethora of benefits to e-learning that offer significant improvements over traditional learning methods.
Access to online education enables learners of every level to set their own pace for learning and allows for a better balance of schoolwork and study time. Because learning happens inside and outside of the classroom, a more holistic approach to education is one where students can use educational apps when homework gets tough. Giving students access to digital tools that can supplement traditional teaching and provide opportunity to practice is a differentiator. Digital platforms not only empower students to learn and absorb materials independently, but the technology also gives back valuable hours to educators who must prep curricula, grade papers, and spend more one-on-one time with students who need extra support. Teachers can even create chat rooms that empower students to collaborate after hours.
It’s clear that public libraries are a resource that can supplement traditional learning environments, hone critical thinking skills, and promote creative development.
Cultivating creativity for all.
Creativity is the foundation for educational development. Harnessing creativity not only optimizes academic success, but is critical for social-emotional development, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Establishing a creative mindset enables original thought and enhances one’s ability to see solutions where others don’t. It’s a fundamental skill that can be developed at any age. Creativity is essential for preparing students—and society—for scholastic success and job readiness. Especially in a rapidly changing, digital-first world, cultivating creative development is one of the most impactful investments to close the opportunity gap and bridge the digital divide.
Creativity comes from communal work inspired by the ideas and creations of everyday citizens. It’s only natural for libraries to include tools and resources that promote creative thought in the minds of their community. Public libraries have always been a place to get creative juices flowing. Now students and families are seeing the library as a creative place to connect, learn, grow, and discover.
“Building people’s digital literacy skills—I see that as [a library’s] role in filling the gap in the digital divide.”
–Megan LeMaster, R&D Director at Harris County Public Library
Continued learning at the library.
Libraries reflect the community they serve. Changing the perception of what a public library can offer is a core value for the Harris County Public Library. The HCPL Connected program levels the playing field by giving people access to digital learning experiences.
For Megan LeMaster, success for the program happens when more people have access to technology tools and classes that help them excel in ways that work best for them. “Building people’s digital literacy skills, upscaling them so they’re able to fully participate in new waves of technology—I see that as our role in filling the gap that exists in the digital divide,” she says. “Our role and HCPL Connected are vitally important to the community. Every effort will be made to ensure that this program continues to get funded and expands to bridge the digital divide for many more citizens.”
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