Together with ALA, ACRL is working to raise awareness around digital equity funding opportunities (also shared via ACRL FB and Twitter) for community organizations – including academic libraries – to provide broadband/devices, build information/digital literacy skills, and support workforce development (e.g., highly trained student workers, internships, residencies, etc.). There is unlikely to be another opportunity like this in our lifetime to further the good work libraries of all types are already doing.
While many community college, college, and university libraries are undertaking digital equity work already (or related work that could be expanded to covered populations) they are likely not aware of these future funding opportunities or the importance of communicating to state planners now. We want to spread the word, and I'm hoping you can help. It would be great if you could encourage people in your chapters to communicate to your state planners and do so yourselves. It's important that libraries showcase their good work now at this stage.
Thanks for considering.
------------------------------
Kara Malenfant
Senior Strategist for Special Initiatives
Association of College and Research Libraries
American Library Association
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------