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ICfL survey shows gains in library internet access but flags shrinking IT budgets
Summary
ICfL staff reported increases in libraries offering high-speed internet and lending laptops, but noted a decrease in libraries with dedicated IT budgets and a lack of hardware refresh cycles. E-Services Program Supervisor William Lamb said the ICfL's Tech Refresh program will aim to address those gaps.
E-Services Program Supervisor William Lamb and State Librarian Stephanie Bailey-White presented results from the ICfL’s Digital Inclusion at Your Library survey. Lamb said the survey showed increases in the number of libraries offering high-speed internet, lending laptops for home use, and providing digital literacy training, but he expressed concern about a decrease in libraries with a dedicated IT budget and a lack of hardware refresh cycles.
Bailey-White said Idaho still has work to do on digital navigation training and services, and she expressed hope that federal digital access funding and upcoming ICfL programs will provide incentives for libraries to invest in those services. Lamb said the ICfL’s Tech Refresh program will help educate library leadership on the importance of budgeting for IT and hardware refresh plans.
The board recorded the survey as an information item; no formal board action was taken at the Oct. 16 meeting.
