The COVID-19 pandemic forced many of us online as schools, work and other daily tasks were shuttered. However, not every household had the proper resources to address the sudden and overwhelming need for reliable internet connectivity. Millions of Americans lost access to the institutions they relied on for internet at a time when connectivity was a necessity – requiring an immediate solution.  

Photo by Claudio Schwarz.

Libraries have long held a crucial role in providing connectivity to millions of Americans who wouldn’t otherwise have access. A new report released by the American Libraries Association in March examined how libraries rose to the challenge.

Check out some key findings from this report:

• While only 77% of Americans have home broadband, 93% use the internet, indicating that a significant portion of the population accesses the internet in other ways such as from school, libraries and work. Many of the people affected the most by the pandemic were a result of the pre-existing digital divide.
• Libraries offered safe connectivity options by: providing outdoor Wi-Fi; loaning hotspots and other devices; offering virtual, curbside and in-library support for the tasks that library users need to complete online; and engaging in connectivity-related partnerships with schools, non-profits, industry, and local government.
• A survey conducted by the Public Library Association in March 2020 revealed that about 93% of libraries kept their Wi-Fi on even when their buildings were closed to the public.
• Federal aid helped libraries to improve and expand these critical services. For example, in cases where outdoor Wi-Fi was lacking or inadequate to meet needs, some libraries added or expanded this service with the help of federal COVID recovery grant funds.
• Library staff leveraged their knowledge of local connectivity gaps and community needs to partner with community organizations, local governments and businesses to offer broadband service. 
• The widespread availability of these services allowed millions of people to complete crucial tasks such as applying for unemployment benefits, completing schoolwork, accessing telehealth services and staying connected with friends and family. 

Libraries made much-needed investments in Wi-Fi during the pandemic. Not only did emergency funding assist staff in addressing immediate needs, but it also helped lay the groundwork for economic recovery as the pandemic recedes. But the study also points out that while emergency funding served as a needed boost, “long-term investment in broadband is also needed as the ability of libraries to provide connectivity is tied to the availability of broadband infrastructure and funding for digital inclusion programs.” It’s been said time and time again, but connectivity is no longer a luxury. The pandemic has brought that to light even more, but it has also put a spotlight on just how much work we still have to bridge the digital divide in the U.S. Libraries have played a key role, even before the pandemic, in helping close the digital divide, particularly with Wi-Fi, but there is still a lot left to do to ensure all Americans have reliable internet access that they can use.