In 2021-22, The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) awarded one-year American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants to 10 Texas public libraries to support Digital Navigator programs. Afterwards, TSLAC funded a research study by UT Austin’s Technology and Information Policy Institute (TIPI) to evaluate the grant. The researchers, Sharon Strover, Whitney Nelson, and Sheila…
Nacogdoches is known as “the oldest town in Texas.” From the Caddo Indians who inhabited the area before the Spanish arrived, to the firing of the opening salvos of the Texas Revolution in 1832, Nacogdoches has a deep and storied history. But as much pride the town has in its past, one librarian is focused…
The Broadband Development Office (BDO) established the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) to provide additional resources to communities that need help with broadband planning. The program aids local governments and communities by providing assistance to identify local broadband development opportunities and prepare for forthcoming state and federal funds. Greg Conte, director of the Texas Broadband Development…
Devices and internet accessibility are two crucial necessities to help close the digital divide. As difficult as it can be for libraries to pull together those resources, it’s often still not enough, as patrons often lack the digital literacy skills to use the devices or connect to the internet. TSLAC’s Library Digital Opportunity team recently…
Lately, digital literacy has become a trending topic of discussion. Digital literacy can have a lot of different meanings, but the most common definition is “the ability to use digital devices, like smartphones and computers, to evaluate, and communicate information.” It’s a combination of technical and cognitive skills that allow people to use information and…
The digital literacy movement is making some of the greatest strides in Amarillo, Texas, of all places. Known as “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” Amarillo conjures images of the rugged, Old West spirit, the iconic Route 66, and the grandeur of the Palo Duro Canyon. There used to be a joke that Amarillo had more…
The numbers are bleak. One in every three adults in Harris County functions at the lowest levels of literacy. That means they don’t have the basic reading and digital skills necessary to function on the job, in the family, and across society. Harris County, with 28% of adults reading at or below level one (out…
The 2024-25 E-Rate funding year begins July 1, and for many Texas public libraries, this program can have a big impact on their annual budgets. The FCC’s E-Rate program makes telecommunications and information services more affordable for schools and public libraries, offering up to 90% discounts on Internet costs. If you’re an accredited Texas public…
The Texas Library Association’s “Digital Conversations” concluded their 2024 statewide tour in Alpine and Wichita Falls this past month. The conversation covered topics such as digital literacy, telehealth, grant funding, broadband accessibility, and the many ways libraries can bring digital opportunity to their communities. Both events were attended by community stakeholders, including government officials, local librarians,…
The Library Digital Opportunity office (LDO) has a new speed test dashboard tool, and you can check it out now. See how your library stacks up to the rest! From the dashboard, you can track internet upload and download speeds across the state. The dashboard allows you to filter results by region, population, and income…