Internet Connectivity in U.S. Public Libraries

The ALA Office for Research & Statistics has released a new report: "Internet Connectivity in U.S. Public Libraries."    More reports are coming, at least two per year related to technology and libraries.  This 8-page study shows a number of interesting findings, based on the data from the Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study. 

What caught my attention was the clear and significant difference in the technological offerings of public libraries based on whether they are urban, suburban, or rural.  For example, 67.2% of urban libraries offer eBooks, while only 48.6% of suburban libraries and 30.0% or rural libraries do.  That is a huge difference.  Connection speed is another area with huge differences.  Our libraries, especially in rural areas, due to a lack of funding (which means a lack of resources, training, dollars for projects, staff time) results in inequitable service for the country's public library users.  Web 2.0 digital services have offered one way to level the playing field, offering quick and low-tech ways to provide cutting-edge digital services, but we clearly need more.  If basic services are still lacking, we need to work on that too.