April 25, 2024

IMLS Holds Hearing on the Need for Broadband in Libraries

IMLS hearing on broadband access in public libraries at DC's Martin Luther King Jr. branch

Though broadband Internet access has become more common in U.S. households during the past decade, the digital divide has not yet been bridged. In fact, challenges now loom larger than ever for households without broadband, said Richard Reyes-Gavilan, Chief Librarian for the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) during his opening remarks at the “Libraries and Broadband: Urgency and Impact,” public hearing hosted by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) on April 17. According to IMLS estimates, about 100 million Americans don’t have access to high-speed Internet at home, while 19 million don’t have any Internet access at home.

IMLS Invites Civic-Minded Techies To Hack Agency Data

National Day of Civic Hacking

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced on May 21 its plans to participate in the first National Day of Civic Hacking on June 1 and 2. Described as a “public-private-people partnership,” the event is being further described as “the largest ever to bring together citizens from around the country to work with local, state, and federal governments—as well as private sector organizations—with the common goal of improving their community through technology.”

STEM Video Game Challenge Encourages Librarians to Mentor Students

Students are invited to enter the annual National STEM Video Game Challenge, and organizers are hoping school librarians will help mentor and support kids throughout the process.

PLA Gets Grant to Build Digital Literacy Resource for Libraries

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded a $291,178 grant to the Public Library Association (PLA) to develop an online collection of digital literacy resources. The two year grant, which was given via the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, will help PLA partner with the American Library Association (ALA)’s Office for Information […]

Indiana and Northwestern To Develop Open Source Streaming A/V System

Indiana University Libraries, Bloomington, in partnership with Northwestern University Library, Evanston, IL, aims to assist academic libraries and archives in managing locally-generated video and audio collections with an open source software project called Variations on Video.

IMLS Seeks Feedback on Digital Inclusiveness Framework

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in conjunction with the International City/County Management Association and the Seattle-based University of Washington Information School’s Technology & Social Change Group, earlier this month announced its draft framework proposal on building “digitally inclusive communities.” The organizations are seeking public input on the proposal via an online survey through this Wednesday, November 30.

Libraries, Museums Receive $1.2 Million in IMLS Grants to Build Teen Learning Labs

Libraries played large among the winners of a $1.2 million collective grant to build learning labs across the country.