Gigabit Libraries and Beyond: Improving Broadband Access Worldwide

Gigabit Libraries and Beyond: Improving Broadband Access Worldwide
October 19, 2021, 8:00-9:15 am CT
[To find your local time, visit https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/] 
FREE webinar registration at: https://tinyurl.com/isldbroadband

 Webinar Description: 

Libraries worldwide are a key resource in supporting and providing broadband access to their communities, which continue to experience inequitable access to the internet and information and communication technologies (ICTs). The Toward Gigabit Libraries toolkit is a free, self-service guide created to help libraries understand and improve their IT capacities and broadband resources. Join this webinar that will first introduce internet access globally and the role of libraries in providing internet access, followed by an interactive discussion on IT and broadband challenges your libraries face and learn about how the toolkit can help libraries beyond the US, understand and address them. While the toolkit was originally created for United States libraries, this session will focus on areas that can be applied and adapted to an international audience. Participants are encouraged to describe their technology challenges and work with the facilitators and other attendees to seek solutions.

Prior to attending the session, attendees can download and review a free version of the Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit at http://internet2.edu/tgl and also watch the short explanatory video on the site. 

A follow-up interactive, hands-on session is scheduled on January 19, 2022; 8-10 am CT for participants to virtually “workshop” possible approaches to localizing the toolkit for communities across the globe. 

Speakers: 

Carson Block (carson@carsonblock.com) has led, managed, and supported library technology efforts for more than 25 years. He brings a user-centered technological perspective, with an emphasis on transparent and powerful solutions, with some “gee whiz” thrown into the mix. Carson’s passions include leading technology visioning and planning, creating highly-functional work groups, technical design (including infrastructure, RFID, and points of self-service), and project management with a focus on technology solutions tailored for each library and its community. 

B. Shadrach (shaddy.shadrach@gmail.com) is an international consultant with BS Consulting and holds a PhD in Information Science from Loughborough University, UK (2003), with a specialization in Rural Informatics. He understands the rights-based processes involved in pro-poor information and knowledge systems at the grassroots level, and addresses the challenges of broadband access and affordable ICTs in the developing world. He has worked as CEO of large international and regional organizations, and pioneered programs and innovation.

Stephanie Stenberg (sstenberg@internet2.edu) is Director of the Internet2 Community Anchor Program, where she works with regional networking partners, community anchor institutions, and Internet2 membership organizations to support mutually beneficial goals of bringing networking, trust and identity services, and advanced applications to community anchor institutions nationwide. Since joining Internet2 in 2018, she has been part of three Institute of Museum and Library Services-funded grant projects focused on libraries and connectivity.

Sponsored by: International Sustainable Library Development (ISLD) Interest Group of the ALA International Relations Round Table, Mortenson Center of International Library Programs, and Gigabit Libraries.