Last week the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) released their tools to help communities address digital inclusion:
They’re like student workbook and teacher’s edition how-to develop community digital inclusion manuals. The framework is simple:
- Vision for the future – Describes a digitally inclusive community as it is experienced by residents
- Principles that define digital inclusion – Statements of intention to focus effort in specific areas
- Goals to make digital inclusion a reality – Specific achievements required to achieve the vision
- Strategies for achieving the goals – Actions to achieve the goals within a community context
What I like most about the documents is how they have divided up each segment into smaller, manageable tasks. In that way it is like a workbook. The tasks are finite and “doable” and the framework builds from the known to the unknown – it’s curriculum development 101. Also the framework recognizes that there are no one-size-fits all solutions – but there are some standards options that will help guide a community to a unique solution.
While each community will have different priorities, the fundamental needs are the same:
- high-speed infrastructure to carry Internet traffic and connect households to businesses and community institutions;
- help people learn to navigate technology and provide a safe environment for doing so;
- maintain public options for those who are unable, can’t afford, need temporary access, or for whom it doesn’t make sense to maintain private access;
- remove barriers to access for people with disabilities or facing other obstacles to access; and
- address the special needs and requirements of key sectors that drive the local economy
The IMLS talks about their next steps…
As a next step, IMLS is working with WebJunction, Tech Soup, and the International City/County Management Association to develop curriculum and training resources to support community efforts. They are currently conducting a Digital Inclusion Community Needs Assessment, surveying directors of organizations on level of awareness, the priorities for getting started or continuing existing efforts, and the challenges and successes encountered. They will hold a test summit in May and a full leadership summit in June.
The good news is that there’s also an effort in Minnesota towards taking some next steps. Last fall, the State, collaborating as part of the Technology Literacy Collaborative, hosted a digital inclusion forum, which was well attended and started a lot of conversations that will help us move forward together. In fact I recently ran into Mary Ann Van Cura, one of the event organizers, who said that a tremendous number of people signed up to actively participate in any follow up. (If you are interested in joining this group – please let Mary Ann know.) I’ll try to post any updates here as well. It feels like these new publications are getting the momentum going – and that Minnesota is poised to be a leader in the movement.