New Report From IFLA: Connecting Libraries to Empower Communities

From the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA):

A new report presents the key findings of the Libraries Boosting Connecitivity (LBC) initiative launched in 2024 to collect crucial data on how libraries are navigating and adapting to the digital landscape. The report offers insights from the selected pilot countries and provides an analysis of library geolocation, connectivity status and the state of the infrastructure, available resources and types of digital-related training that those libraries offer. It also examines the perceived value and impact of these efforts as reported by library staff.

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Highlights

• While most of the surveyed libraries have Internet access, many have only symbolic connectivity. Which means the speed might be too low and the service too unstable to support meaningful use. These cases are common and often reflect deeper structural issues that also limits libraries’ ability to offer digital training and other services.
• Surveying unconnected libraries is essential as they reveal important stories about local barriers and on how these institutions support community members who lack private Internet access.
• Chilean libraries offer a valuable case study, highlighting additional metrics worth tracking beyond connectivity and taking a more strategic view on how to enhance digital transformation in public and community libraries.
• Comparing the LBC findings with GIGA data also highlights a strong opportunity for closer collaboration between school and library networks when it comes to Internet access and points to practices within the school network that could be valuable for libraries to adopt.

Direct to Full Text Report
22 pages; PDF.

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