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Q&A
Digital divide and technology infrastructure needs in libraries
1:23:01
·
69 sec
Council Member Gale A. Brewer inquires about the digital divide and technology infrastructure needs in libraries. Library representatives discuss the ongoing need for technology upgrades and the importance of addressing the digital divide.
- Libraries need to overhaul their technology approximately every five years due to high usage
- Capital funding is needed for technology upgrades and infrastructure improvements
- Libraries are the largest providers of free WiFi in their boroughs, with increased demand evident during the COVID-19 pandemic
Gale A. Brewer
1:23:01
Okay.
1:23:01
Alright.
1:23:02
That makes sense.
1:23:03
In terms of the, digital divide, obviously part of your capital is getting more, funding.
1:23:10
So my question is I know you almost every five years you need to have a overhaul of your technology because you have so many users.
1:23:17
Is that still true?
1:23:18
And is that the kind of funding that you're looking for?
1:23:21
Because to me, when I go to the library branches, every computer is at use.
1:23:27
So
Linda Johnson
1:23:29
I'll just start and I'll let everybody pile on because this is an important issue.
1:23:34
Yes.
1:23:35
I mean, the technology infrastructure needs to be continually replenished.
1:23:41
Yes.
1:23:41
We're the largest provider of free WiFi in the boroughs, and we are at an enormous demand.
1:23:48
It became apparent during COVID to the rest of the world, something that we already knew, which is just how much our patrons depend upon the libraries to stay connected to the point where we were leaving all the WiFi signals on so that people could sit outside of our libraries when they were closed and take advantage of the signal that
Gale A. Brewer
1:24:08
That's the e rate.
1:24:09
Yep.