How libraries can support their communities' digital needs more effectively

As communities across North America continue to deal with the effects of the global pandemic, libraries are filling a critical need by connecting residents with essential digital tools and resources — and this role will endure long after COVID-19 is over.

A 2020 Library Journal (LJ) survey of public libraries across the United States, developed in coordination with Spectrum Enterprise, reveals how libraries have played a vital role in bringing digital resources to stakeholders during the pandemic. Fulfilling this role requires a dependable IT infrastructure with high-speed internet access and a secure, scalable network. Libraries are using a variety of funding sources to bolster their IT infrastructure, and the survey reveals challenges and opportunities in doing so.

This white paper explores the survey results in more detail. It also suggests key opportunities for libraries to take an even more active role in supporting stakeholders' connectivity needs, such as by leveraging federal funding resources more effectively.