Finding a Safe Haven in the Library For Diana Muturia, the Phoenix Public Library was more than a place to borrow books, it was a lifeline. Originally from Kenya, Diana arrived in Phoenix with determination but limited resources. “The library saved me,” she recalls. “It was the only place I could get Wi-Fi, and it was…
E-rate is a federal discount program available to accredited public libraries that pays up to 90% of broadband costs, but we at TSLAC know the process to complete an application like this can be challenging. TSLAC is continuing its support of libraries this year in applying for E-Rate. The project, called Libraries Connecting Texas (LCT),…
The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) is tackling the digital divide with programs that expand infrastructure and digital opportunity across the state. Led by new Director Bryant Clayton and supported by Digital Opportunity Supervisor Omar Ledezma, and Outreach Coordinators Andrea Pacheco and Lauren Weber, the BDO plays a key role in keeping communities, internet providers,…
Once one of the least-connected cities in the United States, Brownsville, Texas, has transformed into a leader in community broadband access and the Brownsville Public Library System has been at the center of that journey. What was once a single-branch library with just 20 public computers is now a two-branch system that offers hundreds of…
The results are in! Compare your internet speeds to other libraries across the state and see the year-over-year trends. The good news is—efforts like those by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) to increase library internet speeds in Texas public libraries are working, though there is still much work to be done. More…
There are thousands of jobs in fields like construction, transportation and utilities that need to be filled in Texas. But for many job seekers, breaking into the skilled trades can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? What certifications do you need? And how do you connect with the right employers? Pflugerville Public Library is helping…
During a recent visit to the Rio Grande Valley, we spoke with Pharr Memorial Library director, Adolfo Garcia, who shared some news with us on digital literacy efforts in Pharr. The library will be on the front lines of the Pharr Connect Digital Literacy Program. The program was made possible by a $3.2 million grant…
The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) has updated their Texas Digital Opportunity Hub. The improved website is a powerful tool for libraries looking to strengthen their broadband capabilities, expand services for patrons, and close the digital divide in Texas. More data and information have been added, and features have been enhanced. The BDO created this…
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s annual speed test for Texas public libraries begins in February. Public libraries all across the state will be receiving a link, via email, to perform this simple but important test to gather critical data on the status of library broadband across the state. A library providing broadband, or…
The E-rate Application Window for 2025 closes on March 26 (with the first form due mid-February), so act now! If you’re from an accredited public library and want to apply for this funding, TSLAC offers free E-rate consultants as part of its Libraries Connecting Texas (LCT) program. Please contact Henry Stokes at LDO@tsl.texas.gov as soon as…