🌎 Resumen en español · traducción automática
Oklahoma lanzó una iniciativa estatal este verano para instalar hasta 175 portales de internet privados en bibliotecas públicas, financiada con 14.5 millones de dólares del Plan de Rescate Estadounidense, con el objetivo de proporcionar acceso gratuito a servicios de telesalud, educación y desarrollo laboral en comunidades rurales. Al 27 de agosto, 40 bibliotecas ya habían solicitado 61 portales en 32 condados, y se espera que todos estén operativos antes de fin de año. La iniciativa responde a la brecha digital significativa en Oklahoma rural, donde el 18% de los hogares carecía de suscripción a banda ancha en 2021, llegando hasta el 50% en algunas comunidades más pequeñas.
Traducción y resumen generados por IA a partir del artículo en inglés. Puede contener errores; consulte el texto original.
This summer, Oklahoma launched a statewide community access portal initiative, bringing private, internet-connected spaces to public libraries across the state. The program will place as many as 175 portals in libraries, giving rural residents a private space to access telehealth, workforce development, education, and other essential online services.
The initiative comes as libraries have taken on an expanding role as community access points for technology and telehealth. Funded by a $14.5 million investment from the federal American Rescue Plan Act’s Capital Projects Fund, the program is intended to expand reliable, private internet access in communities across Oklahoma.
“A lot of people just take for granted that everyone has a cell phone, tablet, or computer. The truth of the matter is that’s not always the case, especially for communities that are aging,” said Mike Sanders, executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office. “But these libraries are free, open, and able to offer full-time help. So we thought what a great idea it would be to have these portals placed in our great library system here in Oklahoma.”
All of the portals will be fully operational by the end of year. As of August, 40 libraries had requested 61 portals across 32 counties, with over a hundred more available for local libraries in the state.
“One of the most trusted institutions in any local community is your public library,” Sanders said. “We thought, what better way to add more to these public libraries than to add these particular community access portals?”
Rural Oklahoma continues to face a significant broadband gap. The Oklahoma Broadband Office reported that, in 2021, 18% of Oklahoma households lacked a broadband subscription, while in some smaller, more rural communities, as many as 50% of households lacked broadband availability.
More recent federal data shows how these statewide trends map on to national patterns. Eighty percent of people in rural areas had access to fixed broadband at speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps in 2023, the federal benchmark for fixed-speed broadband, compared with 99.2% in urban areas.
Sanders said broadband development is critical for Oklahoma.
“For a long time, we talked about the infrastructure of the 1930s, regarding the Electrification Act and bringing electricity to rural areas of our country. Then, some 20-plus years later, when the interstate system was constructed. Both of those were major infrastructure bills,” Sanders said. “I would say this is as important as those two infrastructure build-outs. It’s just a different type of infrastructure.”
In August, the Kingfisher Memorial Library in rural Kingfisher County was the first library to open community access portals.
“When we heard about the portals, first I thought, ‘Wow, this really fits in with what libraries do,’” said Mike Tautkus, the Kingfisher Memorial library director. “It provides equal access. People come in from all walks of life and can check out a book or use our computers, or access other technology and equipment.”
Tautkus said that in the first weeks of operation, the portals were already being used and toured by patrons.
“It’s usually the case that people come to use the computers at the library because they don’t have internet or devices at home,” Tautkus said. “So we got a lot of participation. A lot of people love the library. This is where they can just come for what they need.”
In Kingfisher County, nearly 10% of residents did not have broadband access as of 2024.
The Kingfisher library received two community access portals, including one that is ADA accessible. Across the state, each portal installation includes five years of maintenance and staff training, offering libraries the support needed to sustain the spaces and services.
The launch comes as states focus more on how broadband can improve people’s everyday lives. Oklahoma’s program is the first statewide effort of its kind nationally, offering a possible model for future connectivity in public libraries.
The initiative comes as Medicare telehealth flexibilities have been extended through 2027, Rural Health Transformation Program funding enters implementation, and more public services move online. In Oklahoma, the program aims to turn broadband access into something residents can rely on for health care, employment opportunities, and other essential services.
“It’s infrastructure for dignity,” Sanders said. “You can be in the privacy of this portal, having a one-on-one discussion with your doctor without leaving your hometown. You can pursue that job opportunity or that job interview. Or, if you’re wanting to go back to school and get more accreditation or enhance your education, you can access that.”
The post Oklahoma Public Libraries Become Broadband Access Hubs appeared first on The Daily Yonder.
