Libraries: The Frontline Warriors in the Battle for Information Equity

Information is often synonymous with power; yet access to information remains starkly unequal. While 58% of offline households in the United States express no interest in being online, 18% report that they cannot afford a home internet connection. Offline households have significantly lower incomes than their online counterparts (1). This disparity, known as the digital divide, is deepening existing social and economic inequalities. At the forefront of this challenge are public libraries, which have evolved far beyond their traditional role to become dedicated to democratizing access to information.

The digital divide is not only an inconvenience; it’s a barrier to education, employment, healthcare, and civic participation. Even in developed countries like the United States and Canada, this digital divide persists, particularly for low-income individuals, seniors, and residents of rural communities (1). Libraries have recognized this challenge and responded with innovative programs and services that extend far beyond lending books. Today’s libraries are reimagining themselves as essential infrastructure for the information age, providing not just access to information but the tools, training, and support necessary to navigate an increasingly digital world.

Bridging the Digital Divide Through Technology Access

The most fundamental way libraries equalize information access is by providing free technology and internet connectivity to those who lack it at home. Libraries provide in-library computers with internet access for those who lack such resources at home, and many offer Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing people to bring their own devices (2). This service has proven critical, particularly in rural and low-income communities where broadband access remains limited or unaffordable.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of this role became impossible to ignore, as internet traffic increased by 35% in 2020 (1). As schools, workplaces, and government services moved online, libraries scrambled to maintain connectivity for their communities. Some libraries provided connectivity outside of the walls of the library building through Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs and even after hours—a community service that became especially important during the pandemic (2).

The expansion of hotspot lending has been particularly significant. Almost half of libraries (46.9%) offer hotspots for checkout, representing a 14.4% increase from 2020 (3). This growth reflects libraries’ recognition that information access in the 21st century requires more than just in-building connectivity—it demands the flexibility to connect from home, work, or anywhere patrons need internet access. With Emergency Connectivity Fund support, more than 6,800 schools and libraries were able to provide Wi-Fi hotspots, supporting broadband connectivity for nearly 1.2 million students, school staff, and library patrons who otherwise lacked internet access (4).

Many libraries have also expanded their technology offerings beyond basic computer access and hotspots. The vast majority of public libraries (95%) now circulate e-books and/or e-audiobooks, and more than half (58%) provide streaming services and downloadable content (5). These digital collections ensure that patrons can access information and entertainment regardless of their ability to visit the physical library.

Digital Literacy: Teaching People How to Access Information

Access to technology means little without the skills to use it effectively. Libraries have therefore invested heavily in digital literacy programs, offering classes and one-on-one assistance to help patrons navigate the digital world. 95.3% of libraries provide at least one type of digital literacy training, whether formal programs, classes, appointments, or informal point-of-use training (3, 6). These programs serve everyone, from seniors learning to video chat with their grandchildren to job seekers mastering online applications to immigrants completing citizenship paperwork online.

The scope of digital literacy programming in libraries has expanded dramatically in recent years. Libraries offer training in five key areas: general computer skills, internet use, software applications, web development and coding, and other specialized topics, including assistive technology and video conferencing (6). This educational mission has become particularly urgent in an era of misinformation and algorithmic content curation, where the ability to assess information critically may be as important as accessing it in the first place.

Approximately 48 million Americans lack the digital skills necessary to succeed in today’s workplace environment (7), underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive digital literacy education. Libraries have pioneered innovative approaches to reaching underserved populations with this training. Almost 30% of libraries report they offer a digital navigator program to assist patrons (3), representing a new model where trained staff provide personalized, one-on-one assistance to help individuals overcome specific technology barriers.

Digital Navigator programs represent a distinct philosophy in addressing digital divide factors, with libraries launching these programs in ways that reflect notions of information access (2). In rural Texas, for example, the Fayette Library Director noted that for seniors, one of the most significant issues is access to both devices and reliable internet. Helping the community become more digitally prepared makes the community as a whole healthier (8).

Creating Inclusive Physical and Virtual Spaces

Information accessibility isn’t only about technology and resources—it’s also about creating environments where all community members feel welcome and supported. Libraries are safe spaces, making them attractive and non-threatening environments for learning, especially for marginalized populations and non-traditional students, such as seniors (2). Libraries have worked deliberately to become inclusive spaces that serve as community anchors, particularly in neighborhoods where other public spaces have disappeared.

Public libraries hosted roughly 224 million internet use sessions for some of the approximately 54 million Americans who used the internet in public places in 2019 (9). This staggering figure demonstrates libraries’ role as essential digital infrastructure. Libraries offer reach through their physical presence and technology infrastructure in communities of all sizes, including 17,000 public library locations (9), ensuring that even small and rural communities have access to digital resources and expertise.

Modern library design emphasizes flexibility and inclusivity. Libraries now include maker spaces equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and other advanced manufacturing tools, democratizing access to technologies that could transform hobbyists into entrepreneurs. The Houston Public Library’s mobile STEM education vehicle can be configured in various ways for storytime, digital literacy, LEGO classes, 3D printing, and more, helping to break down barriers for people who cannot access library locations (8).

Meeting People Where They Are

Perhaps most significantly, libraries have moved beyond waiting for people to come through their doors. Recognizing that traditional library hours and locations may not serve all community members equally, libraries have pioneered outreach programs that bring information and services directly to underserved populations.

In rural communities and small towns, the library is often the only access point for reliable internet and the primary trusted source for help with devices and digital skills (8). Libraries understand their unique position of trust within communities and leverage it to provide essential services. Almost one in five (19.7%) libraries are involved in digital equity or inclusion coalitions at the local, state, or regional level (3), demonstrating their commitment to collaborative approaches to closing the digital divide.

During the pandemic, many libraries launched virtual programming and digital lending services, enabling them to continue serving their communities even when physical buildings were closed. In 2024, libraries achieved remarkable new milestones, with readers worldwide borrowing over 739 million ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines—a 17% increase over 2023 (10). This dramatic growth in digital lending demonstrates libraries’ successful adaptation to changing patron needs.

The Challenges Ahead

Despite their efforts, libraries face significant challenges in their mission to equalize information access. The three most common challenges libraries face in providing digital literacy assistance or training are staff capacity, insufficient funding or resources, and difficulties reaching underserved populations (5). Chronic underfunding limits what libraries can offer, and the rapid pace of technological change requires constant adaptation and investment.

The political landscape has also created uncertainty. As of 2024, 79% of Americans had access to broadband internet at home, according to the Pew Research Center. Those who lack broadband often rely on smartphones or have limited regular online access (11). However, recent policy changes threaten to undermine progress, with federal support for hotspot lending programs facing potential elimination despite their demonstrated effectiveness.

Libraries reported that cost constraints and subscription costs or payment terms are the top factors influencing their ability to offer digital content, selected by 85.7% of libraries overall (5). This financial pressure forces libraries to make difficult choices about which resources and services they can afford to provide.

Yet libraries persist in their essential mission, adapting to meet evolving needs while staying true to their core purpose: ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, education, or background, can access the information they need to learn, work, and thrive. Library workers are particularly well-suited to building digital skills, with more than 88 percent of all public libraries offering some kind of formal or informal digital literacy programming (9). In doing so, they serve not just individual patrons but democracy itself, fulfilling the premise that an informed citizenry is essential to a functioning society.

As information becomes increasingly central to economic opportunity and social participation, the role of libraries as equalizers becomes even more critical. They stand as testaments to the principle that access to information is not a luxury but a right—one that requires constant vigilance and investment to protect and extend to all.

Sources

1. PressReader Blog. (2024, September 30). “How public libraries are helping bridge the digital divide.” https://blog.pressreader.com/libraries-institutions/how-public-libraries-are-helping-bridge-the-digital-divide

2. Strover, S., Nelson, W., & Lalwani, S. (2024). “Framing Access: Digital Navigators and Libraries.” Journal of Information Policy, 14, 201-242. https://texastipi.org/framing-access-digital-navigators-and-libraries/

3. American Library Association. (2024, July 9). “New Public Library Technology Survey report details digital equity roles.” https://www.ala.org/news/2024/07/new-public-library-technology-survey-report-details-digital-equity-roles

4. American Library Association. (2024, July 18). “ALA praises FCC vote to make Wi-Fi hotspots eligible for E-rate funding.” https://www.ala.org/news/2024/07/ala-praises-fcc-vote-make-wi-fi-hotspots-eligible-e-rate-funding

5. Library Research Service. (2024, September 13). “Public Libraries and Technology: Beyond the Public Library Survey.” https://www.lrs.org/2024/09/13/public-libraries-and-technology-beyond-the-public-library-survey/

6. Public Library Association. (2024). “2023 Public Library Technology Survey Summary Report.” American Library Association. https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/PLA_Tech_Survey_Report_2024.pdf

7. Programming Librarian. (2024, May 1). “Empowering Learners of All Ages Through Digital Literacy Initiatives.” https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/empowering-learners-all-ages-through-digital-literacy-initiatives

8. Texas State Library and Archives Commission. (2024, December 3). “Texas Libraries Bridging the Digital Divide.” https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ld/librarydevelopments/2024/12/03/libraries-bridging-divide/

9. StateTech Magazine. (2023, February 3). “Leveraging Libraries to End the Digital Divide.” https://statetechmagazine.com/article/2023/02/leveraging-libraries-end-digital-divide

10. OverDrive. (2025, January 27). “Libraries Break Digital Lending Records in 2024 with Over 739 million Checkouts.” https://company.overdrive.com/2025/01/27/libraries-break-digital-lending-records-in-2024-with-over-739-million-checkouts/

11. WCAX. (2025, October 1). “FCC moves to end discounts for Wi-Fi hotspot lending and school bus connectivity.” https://www.wcax.com/2025/10/01/fcc-moves-end-discounts-wi-fi-hotspot-lending-school-bus-connectivity/