New iPAC study provides in-depth analysis of public library presence on National Broadband Map
College Park, MD (May 31, 2012)- The Information Policy & Access Center (iPAC) at the University of Maryland has released the first in-depth analysis of the accuracy of public library broadband data in the National Broadband Map. The study includes recommendations for the improvement in data collection and representation of public libraries for future versions of the Map.
The iPAC study, Public Libraries and the National Broadband Map: Findings and Recommendations, analyzes the Community Anchor Institution data maintained by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for the National Broadband Map. Released in February 2011, the National Broadband Map is a searchable nationwide map of broadband Internet availability.
In addition to reviewing the Map’s public library broadband data, the report compares Map-reported data to data reported as part of the 2011-2012 Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study (PLFTAS). The PLFTAS survey, funded by the American Library Association and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and managed by iPAC, provided a reference broadband data set for comparison purposes.
Key findings from the study include that: 1) there is a need for agreement on library types to be included in the Map; 2) there is a lack of consistency in data collection across the state mapping grantees; 3) there is a need for better integration and use of public library identifier data from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Service public library data files; 4) though there is reasonable agreement between the Map and PLFTAS broadband data, there are disparities at the state level; and 5) the Map continues to improve in terms of accuracy and utility with each successive release.
Public libraries have a particular need for broadband capacity due to their public access nature. As the de facto Internet social safety net for many, public libraries overlay core Internet-enabled services on top of their broadband connectivity. Unlike schools, for example, public libraries are open to the public and heavily relied upon in communities to providers of free public access to technology, broadband connectivity, and a range of services to build and foster digitally inclusive communities.
“Knowing the state of public library broadband connectivity is critical to informing policymakers about gaps in access in communities across the nation,” said John Carlo Bertot, iPAC co-director.
iPAC is working with the NTIA and the American Library Association Office for Information Technology Policy on continued improvements to the Map, particularly public library representation.
The full report is available at http://ipac.umd.edu/Files/CAI_NBM_final_15May2012.pdf.
About National Broadband Map Community Anchor Institution
To ascertain broadband access and deployment, the NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) initiative included a broadband mapping effort. This effort required that in part, on a state-by state basis, a designated entity identify community anchor institutions and their current broadband subscriptions. This resulted in the creation of the National Broadband Map (http://broadbandmap.gov/). Data included in the map are publicly accessible and updated on a six-month cycle.
About Public Library Funding and Technology Access Survey
The PLFTAS survey is based on a long-standing survey of public libraries and their involvement with the Internet conducted since 1994. The study (http://www.ala.org/research/initiatives/plftas) is conducted by the American Library Association and the Information Policy & Access Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. Current and previous survey reports are available at http://www.plinternetsurvey.org.
About the Information Policy & Access Center
The Information Policy & Access Center (iPAC) conducts research on the processes, practices, policies, and social issues that govern access to information in our increasingly digital information society. In particular, iPAC research focuses on policies and/or technologies that lead to equitable and inclusive information access, a digitally literate population, an informed and engaged public, or access Internet- enabled resources and technologies. More information regarding iPAC is available at http://ipac.umd.edu.
Contact
John Carlo Bertot
Co-director, Information Policy & Access Center
University of Maryland
Frank Bonnevier
Operations Manager
301.405.9445
Mary Carroll-Mason
Communications Coordinator
College of Information Studies, Maryland's iSchool
University of Maryland
4105J Hornbake Building
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-1260
Twitter: @I_UMD