Libraries Bridge the Gap in the Digital Divide

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Libraries Bridge the Gap in the Digital Divide

Libraries have served a critical role closing the gap in the digital divide. However, using technology comes at a cost which can become out of reach for people, thus creating the digital divide. In David Lee King’s article, he described the digital divide as those who have access to internet and those who do not. We all use our mobile phones everyday to read our texts, watch videos, search things on the internet, and even keep track of finances. However, this “level of use is possible with a mobile device and a stable internet connection (King, 24). The digital divide is the access to stable internet. King’s study shows that “...more than 21 million people in the United States don’t have [the internet]. That includes nearly 2 in 10 people – 27 percent – who live in such rural places…as well as 2 percent of those living in cities (King, 24).  As technology continues to make advances that improve our quality of life and efficiency, this development comes at a cost socially and financially. We are increasingly reliant on technology, but access to internet is causing the digital divide.

Libraries are a public service that bridge the digital divide by providing internet and equipment to library users. Today’s modern library generally offers updated computer equipment and wired internet or Wi-fi access (King, 25). For example, the San Diego Public Library offers wi-fi at all their branches and the option to use their computers. Some locations even provide hot spot checkouts to provide internet at their homes. Other libraries, in addition to the SD Public Library, have been finding ways to provide this service to its users. All in all, libraries are the unsung heroes in the digital divide.


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Works Cited

King, David Lee. “The Digital Divide.” Library Technology Reports, vol. 57, no. 2, 2021, pp. 24-.

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