The Role of Libraries in National Broadband Plans and Policies

Abstract

Libraries are leading promoters and providers of free and equitable access to all types of information, to support education, learning, research, wellbeing and sustainable development. As part of this professional commitment, libraries and skilled librarians can and do bring more people online, and support digital literacy skills learning to enable them to make full use of (and benefit from) access to the internet and ICTs. With over 2.6 million libraries worldwide, the potential of this vast network to support digital inclusion can be fully realised by incorporating libraries into national broadband policies, from the planning to the delivery stage. This report explores the ways libraries have been engaged with such broadband plans to date, in policy and in practice