DIGITAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION
In 1986, Toledo Lucas County Public Library opened one of the first microcomputer labs in the state and, in 1996, began offering reliable internet access to residents in all 20 of our locations. We have always, and will continue to be, leaders in ensuring that community members are able to reach critical technological resources at no cost. Today, the Library has outlined six strategic priorities, two of which center around providing access to technology and providing technology skills development to our neighborhoods. To achieve these goals, we will continue to provide our high-quality tech services internally, while also externally advocating for equitable tech access in all of Lucas County.
In late summer 2021, while the U.S. Congress debated the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, key community members took note of the historic national investments being proposed for tech and broadband. We, as a community, then began asking ourselves: How will Lucas County handle these investments, and do we know the current state of connectivity in our community? Given these unanswered questions, the Library began convening the “Greater Toledo Digital Equity Coalition” (GTDEC), a cross-sector alliance composed of 50+ individuals representing various community and professional sectors, (participating organizations are listed below.)
The original intent of the GTDEC was to further understand the specific hardships individuals and families must continuously overcome when accessing or using essential technological services. To better quantify this local issue, the GTDEC commissioned Bowling Green State University Center for Regional Development to conduct a Lucas County digital equity gap analysis in April 2022. The study was in two phases: community asset scanning (what tech resources are locally available) and community surveying (what tech resources do you – the community member – have or need.)
Additionally, the study looked at two main categories: adoption and availability. Availability is a community member having a broadband provider who offers internet at their home. Adoption is that the broadband service and available tech (tablets, laptops, desktops) are affordable, and that community members possess the digital literacy skills needed to use both the internet and tech to their benefit.
The GTDEC is now working within the confines of four specific goals.
- Digital connectivity
- Digital literacy and capacity building
- Device accessibility
- Community network building
These goals, along with outlined actionable steps, can be found in the Lucas County Digital Equity Gap Analysis dropdown below. The Lucas County Digital Equity Gap Analysis was launched with financial investments from the Library Legacy Foundation, the City of Toledo Information Technology Department, and Lucas County Commissioners, with support from the Toledo Community Foundation.
Participating members:
Bitwise Industries, Bowling Green State University Center for Regional Development, City of Toledo, Communications Workers of America, Goodwill Industries, Imagination Station, LISC Toledo, Lucas County Commissioners, Lucas County Department of Planning and Development, Lucas County Family and Children First Council, Lucas County Job and Family Services, Lucas County Metropolitan Housing, Mercy Health, Office of Representative Marcy Kaptur, Office of Senator Sherrod Brown, Ohio AFL-CIO, Owens Community College, ProMedica, The Arts Commission, The Junction Coalition, Toledo City Council, Toledo Design Collective, Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Toledo Metroparks, Toledo Public Schools
The Lucas County Digital Equity Gap Analysis will be completed in early 2023. Check back here for more information at a later time.
In February 2023, Toledo Lucas County Public Library was named the Northwest Ohio Regional Digital Inclusion Alliance lead (RDIA) by BroadbandOhio. Given the passage of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, the State of Ohio will be creating a “State Digital Equity Plan” that will be submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which will inform them on how and where to make key technology or broadband investments in Ohio/our region.
In working with Bowling Green State University Center for Regional Development, we will be hosting the following community listening sessions in this 22-county footprint…
Toledo/Lucas County Listening Session
April 4, 2023
Large Glass Meeting Room, Main Library, 325 N. Michigan St., Toledo, Ohio, 43604
- 10:30-11:45 a.m. | Businesses and Internet Service Providers
- 1-2:15 p.m. | Local government officials
- 2:30-3:45 p.m. | Non-profits and community organizations
- 4-5 p.m. | Residents/general community members
Bowling Green/Wood County Listening Session
April 5, 2023
Wood Co. District Public Library, 251 N Main St, Bowling Green, OH 43402
- 2-2:45 p.m. | Government Entities and Elected Officials
- 3-3:45 p.m. | Businesses and Economic Development Leaders
- 4-4:45 p.m. | Community Groups and Local Nonprofits
- 5:30-6:15 p.m. | General Community Members and Concerned Citizens
Findlay/Hancock County Listening Session
April 6, 2023
Lindamood Meeting Room, Findlay Hancock Co. Public Library, 206 Broadway St., Findlay, Ohio, 45840
- Noon-1:15 p.m. | Businesses and Internet Service Providers
- 2:30-3:45 p.m. | Local government
- 4-5:15 p.m. | Non-profits and community organizations
- 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Residents/general community members
Bucyrus/Crawford County Listening Session
April 11, 2023
Bucyrus Public Library, 200 E Mansfield St, Bucyrus, OH 44820
- 2-2:45 p.m. | Government Entities and Elected Officials
- 3-3:45 p.m. | Businesses and Economic Development Leaders
- 4-4:45 p.m. | Community Groups and Local Nonprofits
- 5:30-6:15 p.m. | General Community Members and Concerned Citizens
Archbold/Fulton County Listening Session
April 18, 2023
Archbold Community Library, 205 Stryker St, Archbold, OH 43502
- 2-2:45 p.m. | Government Entities and Elected Officials
- 3-3:45 p.m. | Businesses and Economic Development Leaders
- 4-4:45 p.m. | Community Groups and Local Nonprofits
- 5:30-6:15 p.m. | General Community Members and Concerned Citizens
Defiance/Defiance County Listening Session
May 4, 2023
Defiance Public Library, 320 Fort St, Defiance, OH 43512
- 2-2:45 p.m. | Government Entities and Elected Officials
- 3-3:45 p.m. | Businesses and Economic Development Leaders
- 4-4:45 p.m. | Community Groups and Local Nonprofits
- 5:30-6:15 p.m. | General Community Members and Concerned Citizens
Clyde/Sandusky County Listening Session
May 9, 2023
Clyde Public Library, 222 W Buckeye St, Clyde, OH 43410
- 2-2:45 p.m. | Government Entities and Elected Officials
- 3-3:45 p.m. | Businesses and Economic Development Leaders
- 4-4:45 p.m. | Community Groups and Local Nonprofits
- 5:30-6:15 p.m. | General Community Members and Concerned Citizens
Toledo Lucas County Public Library is one of five regions conducting this work in Ohio. If you are a community member or community-centered organization in the outlined red region below, please feel free to contact us via the dropdown below for more information on getting involved.
The Northwest Ohio Regional report will be completed by the end of 2023. Check back here for more information at a later time.
Affordable Connectivity Program
If you or someone you know is at 200% of the federal poverty limit (family of four making $60,000 or less) they may be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program. This is a federally supported stipend that covers $30 a month on your internet/broadband bill and includes a one-time $100 tech discount. Learn more here.
Mobile Hotspots
Bring the internet home. Check out free, mobile Wi-Fi hotspots at the Library. Learn more here.
Computer Learning Skills
Sharpen or learn a new computer skill, for free, at your local Library. Need to create an email account? Operate Google Sheets? Or up your social media skills? Learn more here.
Join the Greater Toledo Digital Equity Coalition or submit a community tech/broadband resource by completing the form(s) below.
