NCompass Live: The 'Toward Gigabit Libraries' Project Update

Toward Gigabit Libraries
Toolkit
Next Step: Scaling Up
www.carsonblock.com librarylandtech@gmail.com

Project Managers
Library Technology Consultant
Carson Block Consulting, Inc.
Director, Community Anchor Program (CAP)
Internet 2
Founding Team Included:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXWv3-HYm-I

What is Internet 2?

[ 5
]
INTERNET2: MEMBERS & PARTNERS
300+ Higher Education
members
80+ Industry members
40+ Affiliate members
40+ R&E Network members
65+ Int’l partners reaching
100+ nations
100,000+ Community anchor
institutions
Focused on advanced technology needs of members since 1996

Internet2’s Community Anchor Program
Connectivity Stats
CAI Type
Number
Connected
Four-Year Colleges &
Universities 1532
Community Colleges 1062
K-12 Schools 87,796
Public Libraries 5336
Health Care
Organizations 1900
Other CAIs 3235
100,000+ CAIs
Connect to Internet2!

“Toward Gigabit Libraries” Grant
• $250K grant from IMLS.
• Awarded to Internet2 in Spring of 2016.
• Three-year grant developing training curriculum and self
assessment material (“Toolkit”) for library broadband
infrastructure.
• Targeting very rural and tribal libraries.
• Partners include State Library offices and R&E Networks.
Project Goal: Pilot toolkit in at least 30 libraries; we were able to reach nearly
60 libraries

Project Development Process
• Initial Draft of
materials
SME
Workshop
• Updating
materials
based on
input
Pilots
• Finalize
Toolkit
Release
Toolkit

What is the Toolkit?

Toolkit Components and Process
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Toolkit Approach
Questions are presented first, and additional information and resources follow in text boxes

Using the toolkit
• Free, open-source technology learning, diagnostic, and advocacy tool
• Useful for: preparing Erate requests and budget cycles; helping open communication
between library staff and tech workers
• Can be used piecemeal to address specific problems in your library
• No techies required!

About the toolkit

Technology Inventory – Your
Library
In this section, you will inventory some of the key pieces of the
technology inside your library, including your network,
computers, and other important technology components. This
inventory will help you understand what sort of equipment you
have now and provides a basis to determine if you need
different or additional equipment for the future.
• Broadband Connection
• Network Devices
• Wired Network and Power
• Wireless Network and Power
• Computer and End User Devices

Broadband Services and
Activities
In this section, the types of broadband services and
applications are discussed in order to ensure that the library
has sufficient bandwidth to support patron and staff use of
various devices and applications both today and in the future.
• Bandwidth Needs
• Hot-Spot Lending
• Internet Filtering
• Offered Services

Broadband Technical
Operational Support
Technology in libraries is more than just a collection of gear.
People, including library staff and those who provide technical
support, are just as important. In this section you will learn
more about the people who help make technology available in
your library and determine if there are any areas where you
could benefit from additional support.
• Available Technology Support
• Staff Training Resources
• ISP Technical Support
• ISP Service Requests
• ISP Service Guarantees

Broadband Funding
Technology expenses are important budget considerations for
all libraries. In this section you will learn about several
opportunities available to help provide funding for your library
broadband connectivity.
• Price For Connection
• E-rate Funding
• Other Funding Sources

Additional Resources and
Best Practices
The topics listed here are designed to provide you even more
insight and resources into improving your library’s broadband
connectivity and services. You may find these items helpful
in gaining a better understanding of your broadband
connection, data network, and computers.
• Erate
• Content Filtering
• Additional Broadband 101 Resources
• Free Technology Related Training Opportunities &
Resources for Librarians
• Data Backup
• Internet Use Policies

Glossary

“Toward Gigabit Libraries” Site Visits (partial listing)

Library Intake Survey--Trends (59 Libraries)

Library Intake Survey--Trends So Far (59 Libraries)

Library Intake Survey-- Trends So Far (59 Libraries)

Feedback– Post Pilot Visit Survey

● COSLA
● ALA
● Computers in Libraries
● ATALM Conference
● State E-Rate Coordinators
● NE Library Commission grant and
Webinar
● Montana State Library (Simmons
University Study)
● CT State Library Webinar
(multi-site)
● CENIC
● KINBER
● South Dakota State Library
● Others…
Continuing Impact…

New Grant - Beyond Gigabit Libraries
The goal is to expand the new TGL Toolkit including:
● New: Tech Deserts in urban areas
● Deeper partnership with tribal libraries
● Scaling it up by connecting our State Library people and the R&E network
people with education
● Make the Toolkit even more accessible to more people
https://www.imls.gov/grants/awarded/re-246219-ols-20

Letters of SupportAs of March of 2020
● ALA Library IT Association
● Alaska State Library
● Arizona State Library
● Association of Rural & Small Libraries
● Florida State University School of
Information
● Idaho Commission for Libraries
● KINBER (PA R&E network)
● Merit (MI R&E network)
● Network Nebraska (NE R&E network)
● Nebraska Library Commission
● OneNet (OK R&E network)
● Pacific Northwest Gigapop
● North Carolina Central University School
of Library and Information Science
● Technology and Information Policy
Institute
● Texas State Library and Archives
Commission
● Tribal Digital Village
● Washington State Library

Nebraska Site Visits - Our First Stops (March 2017)!
● Wymore Public Library
● Valley Public Library
● Walthill Public Library
● Atkinson Public Library
● Gering Public Library

The Toolkit in Nebraska! A conversation with:
Our “Dream Team” - State Library and R&E
partners:
• Holly Wolt (Nebraska Library
Commission)
• Tom Rolfes (Nebraska Information
Technology Commission)
And!
• Christa Porter (Nebraska Library
Commission) - the toolkit and eRate

Nebraska Schools and
Libraries—Breaking the
Ice and Igniting Internet
Relationships
One year grant – June 1, 2018 – May
30, 2019
IMLS Funding total $25,000
Five Communities – Bancroft, Genoa,
Imperial, Verdigre and Wymore (+1 –
Bayard)
Fixed-base wireless connection
between a local school district building
that is connected with Network
Nebraska and the local public library.

Next Steps
● Minor updates to the toolkit
● Trying to inventory the number of libraries, organization, and other
entities who have used the toolkit
If you’ve done that, please get in touch!
Interested in helping to build an Advisory Group?
Stephanie Stenberg - sstenberg@internet2.edu
Carson Block - librarylandtech@gmail.com

Questions or Comments?
Toolkit and Materials: https://www.internet2.edu/tgl
Project Managers:
Stephanie Stenberg - sstenberg@internet2.edu
Carson Block - librarylandtech@gmail.com

NCompass Live: The 'Toward Gigabit Libraries' Project Update

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