Digital Equity During COVID-19: How New Jersey Public Libraries are Expanding Broadband and Device Access
by Amanda Bombino
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have had to transition part or most of their daily activities to a virtual format. These extensive changes have affected all facets of life, from school to work to familial and social events, and more. The pandemic has underscored existing challenges and inequalities in communities at large, including the digital equity gap. Digital equity refers to the condition in which all individuals have the level of technology access that is required to fully participate in today’s technology-driven world. Participation in the virtual environment requires access to a digital device and connection to the Internet, which, at present, not all residents and communities are able to access reliably. This inequity of access to technology and connectivity has resulted in numerous practical and technical challenges in many communities throughout New Jersey.
While digital equity issues affect all populations, connectivity access stands to be a great hurdle for job seekers searching for work at this time. Much of the job search is exclusively digital, and limited access to public computers or Internet connection can greatly affect the job search process and the ultimate success of landing a new job opportunity. For job seekers, improving skills such as résumé writing and interviewing have gone virtual as well, with the adjustment to online learning further complicated by limited access to technology tools. In addition, those with children may also be limited with access to at-home devices due to remote schooling, which can put the search on pause for many job seekers.
Many of New Jersey’s public libraries have responded to the digital equity issues facing their customers and communities. Many libraries have instituted new programming or bolstered existing programming to improve accessibility to the virtual world by offering a variety of technology services and loaner programs, even as in-person access to facilities remains limited. Below are a few of the ways in which libraries in New Jersey are attempting to fill the gaps in access to technology and broadband services during this time.
Broadband Access: Hotspot Lending
A service that has been offered at many public libraries is wireless hotspot access, which allows patrons to check out Wi-Fi hotspot devices for a limited time, often 14 days, for mobile use. These hotspots are able to connect up to 15 devices simultaneously and deliver high-speed Internet access. Every library has different policies regarding hotspot access, with some libraries offering the devices for free and other libraries offering rentals to library patrons. This service is especially helpful for those who live in areas where Internet connectivity is unreliable or sparse, even if they have access to mobile devices like smartphones or laptops. As well, the opportunity to connect multiple devices can help meet the overarching demands of remote work and schooling, as an entire household can be connected at once. Furthermore, this period of extensive unemployment puts economic and community wellness at a high priority, and hotspot access can connect those in need of assistance to services and programs that address these areas.
In Practice: East Rutherford Memorial Library — East Rutherford, NJ
East Rutherford Memorial Library offers mobile hotspot checkouts to its patrons for a two-week period. Hotspot devices can be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations may be made up to 60 days in advance, either online, by phone, or in person at the library.
Broadband Access: Outdoor and Parking Lot Wi-Fi/Hotspots
In order to minimize the spread of COVID-19, outdoor and individualized activities have been heavily promoted throughout the pandemic. In response, libraries have offered patrons access to Wi-Fi in their parking lots and outdoor spaces. Library patrons and community members are encouraged to bring their devices to the library and use the open Wi-Fi from the safety of their own vehicles or by standing socially distanced on the street. Before the pandemic, it appeared that many libraries turned off or disconnected their building’s Wi-Fi access after closing. Now, libraries have expanded Wi-Fi connectivity to 24/7 public access, and have advertised this as an additional service available to patrons during the pandemic. This practice served as one of the key bridges to digital equity during the spring and summer, and has benefitted job seekers who need Internet access to complete job applications or improve their job search skills.
In Practice: Pennsville Public Library — Pennsville, NJ
Pennsville Public Library is one of many libraries that has allowed patrons to bring their personal devices and use the library’s Wi-Fi network while in the parking lot. This service was promoted in the early days of the pandemic when in-person facilities were shut down and many were forced to suddenly transition to a virtual environment without connectivity supports.
Device Access: Technology Lending
While disproportionate access to reliable broadband Internet is a key issue, access to devices such as computers and tablets can also be difficult, especially for low-income residents. To equalize access to technology, some public libraries in New Jersey offer technology lending services to give patrons access to these mobile devices outside of the library. This service has supported and will continue to support patrons that need at-home access to mobile devices to attend school, work virtually, and more. For job seekers in particular, there is an ongoing need to complete applications, schedule and participate in virtual job interviews, or attend job seeker events from home.
In Practice: Hoboken Public Library — Hoboken, NJ
Hoboken Public Library’s technology lending program allows library patrons to borrow a variety of electronic devices, including laptops, iPads, Kindles, and NOOK e-readers. This program, in particular, supplies devices with outstanding technology reviews and multiple uses, such as for eBooks, software applications, or document creation. Patrons with library card access can reserve and borrow devices for up to two weeks at no cost.
Device Access: In-Person Scheduled Technology Time
Since New Jersey Governor Murphy allowed libraries to reopen facilities in July 2020, the state’s libraries have accommodated patrons in need of technology access while following public health guidelines. Libraries have allowed patrons to use their facilities to access devices such as desktop computers for scheduled time slots by appointment. To schedule an appointment, libraries have pivoted a variety of operational procedures. Some libraries have allowed for online appointment scheduling, while others have opted for appointment scheduling by phone and relatively few offering walk-ins.
In Practice: Woodbury Public Library — Woodbury, NJ
Woodbury Public Library limits in-person access to public computers to one hour per day by appointment only. Additional public health guidelines are enforced with this service along with others, such as mandatory mask wearing, socially distant workstations, and strict sanitation requirements. Those that need one-on-one, in-person assistance with technology or Internet platforms can do so while still abiding by public health measures. The library’s policies make clear that patron safety is highly prioritized.
Next Steps
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there will likely be sizable impacts on opening and operational statuses for many organizations, ultimately affecting the ways in which services can be delivered safely. At this time, “safely” primarily means virtual. At the beginning of the pandemic, during the sudden transition to a virtual environment, Kathy Krepcio, Executive Director of the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, addressed the need for access to essential technology for frontline workforce staff and job seekers. Those needs still persist today and it will require a community-wide and community-driven response to tackle the digital equity issues continuing to plague communities, particularly lower-income communities. Libraries serve as community hubs, a trusted entity that is in touch with the needs and issues facing the community. For this reason, it is likely that libraries and other community-based institutions will play a large role in the recovery ahead.
Overall, there will be a need for broader and longer-term solutions to the digital equity divide exposed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, local, state, and federal government entities must address digital access issues facing communities and consider how to provide additional funding in order to bridge the gap on a larger scale. Service delivery of all kinds will likely continue with a “virtual first” mentality, so there is a need to prepare now to get all residents equitably connected to the virtual world — a critical lifeline for all communication, connection, and information at this time.
Amanda Bombino is a research intern at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development.
In the Suddenly Virtual series, the Heldrich Center examined how the public workforce system had adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing case management, training, and job search services in an online environment. The Strategically Virtual series builds on this work, outlining how the public workforce system can use technology and community partnerships more effectively to expand services, address job seeker mental and emotional well-being, and ensure that a broader range of the public is able to access supports during a time of social distancing and massive job loss. The Strategically Virtual series will produce issue briefs, Medium blog posts, practical guides, and more. View all of the Strategically Virtual blog posts.
