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Morning Breakout Session 1

Internet Innovations in Arkansas Agriculture

Moderator: Mr. Beau BishopPanelist:• Mr. Kevin Smith

#ConnectingAR

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Afternoon Breakout Session 4

The Critical Partnership of Digital Literacy and Libraries

Moderator: Mr. David JohnsonPanelists:• Ms. Mindy Hodges• Ms. Katie Holder• Mr. Emerson Evans• Dr. David Rainey

#ConnectingAR

amy@allegralittlerock.com

David Johnson, Executive Director

Fayetteville Public Library

Fayetteville Public Library

Our vision is to be powerfully relevant and completely accessible.

Our mission is to strengthen our community and empower our citizens with free and public access to knowledge.

No matter where you are …

Downloadables• 4,803 audio books• 16,475 e-books• 47 Magazines through Zinio• Freegal and Naxos Music

24 Hour Help …

Homework Help• Access to live tutors• Test prep – ACT,

GRE, Praxis & moreHow Do I?• Online courses• Reference materials

Meeting our community’s online needs …

So far in 2013 … • 63,924 library card holders• 54,664 computer sessions• 375,486 Database Accesses• 54,759 Ebooks and music downloads

We connect …

So far in 2013 … • 393,803 WiFi hours• 257,352 Website Visits• 57,928 Library Mobile App• 21,948 Mobile Catalog

More than books …

Computer Access• 164 Public Computers• 12 Apple MacBooks• 17 Dell Laptops • 7 Apple Mini Ipads• Free Wi-Fi

What is the cost?

FPL Public Computer Access

Computing hardware at FPL averages $180,000 per year for ongoing maintenance and replacement of machines, servers and networking equipment.

What is the cost?

FPL Public Internet Access2013 – AT&T 20 megabits connection

$1,700 average per month cost (Federal eRate grant discounts + negotiated AT&T contract discounts)

Fall 2013 - 100 megabits

Retail cost $13,000 per month($156,000 annually)

Promoting Digital Literacy

INDIVIDUALIZED HELP• 1 to 2 patrons a week with

NO computer experience• Need assistance setting

up email & Facebook accounts, completing online forms, typing, and printing

• 20 to 40 minutes per person

Promoting Digital Literacy

COMPUTER CLASSES• Get Your Geek On!• Kindle Classes • Facebook Classes• Genealogy

Software Classes• GIMP – Image

Editing Class

Promoting Digital Literacy

Working with the Fayetteville Public Schools

• Owl Creek Internet Only card

What can you do with a library card?

Get a job …

To me, this library is a soothing and inviting setting; where unlike home,I can get my work done without distractions.

Obi EmeasobaFortune 500 Employee

Learn a new skill …

Before I took the free Computer Bootcamp at the library, I was intimidated by computers. Now, I am more confident and do more web searching.

- Nancy Owens Retired teacher

Learn a language …

When my parents moved from India to Fayetteville five years ago, I could not speak English. The library gets the credit for helping me learn the language.

- Anshuman Nandy 5th grader

What will you do with your card?Ask me how to get a card today!

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Mindy HodgesDigital Literacy in

Arkansas

How are Libraries Making a Difference?

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What is digital literacy?

Digital literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, utilize, share, and create content using information technologies and the Internet.

~Cornell University

What is the library’s role?

According to www.digitalliteracy.gov, libraries play a critical role in providing access to high-speed internet and training to help more Americans compete in today’s workforce. Americans use libraries to connect to the Internet to find jobs, improve education, access government services and create business opportunities.

Four roles libraries fill:

1. Provide access to a digital space

2. Provide access to high-speed internet

3. Provide access to digital training

4. Provide access to digital resources

Role 1 - Provide access to a digital space:

According to the 2012 Annual Public Library Survey:

• 2,334 public computers are available for patrons in Arkansas.

• There is an average of 11 computers per library.

• Over 683,000 individual sessions were logged in 2012.

• 36 libraries provide laptops for in house use to their patrons.

• 9 libraries are currently providing e-readers to the public.

• 95% of public libraries in Arkansas provide internet access.

• Of those that provide internet access, over 75% have public wi-fi.

• Fiber connections are becoming a cost effective option for an increasing number of libraries across the state.

• How are they paying for it?• 30% of libraries currently get E-Rate discounts on internet access.• The average discount for Arkansas libraries is 80%.

Role 2 – Provide access to high-speed internet:

What is the public accessing?

Source: Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries (IMLS-2010-RES-01).

• Arkansas State Library in partnership with Connect Arkansas:• Youth Entrepreneurial and eCommerce Classes in public

libraries

• Technology Petting Zoo

• Train the Trainer – Digital librarian training

• Early Literacy Stations

Role 3 – Provide access to digital training:

Role 4 – Provide access to digital resources:

Traveler Online Databases

Traveler databases offer magazines, books, encyclopedias, and other resources to all Arkansas residents. Research current events, science, business, health, notable people, hobbies, and much more from your library, school, home or office.

Arkansas State Library provides free access to all Arkansas Citizens through our Traveler Online Database Portal:

http://www.library.arkansas.gov/libraryDivisions/travelerAccess/Pages/default.aspx

• Where do we want to be 5-10 years down the road?

• How do we get there?• Funding

• Public / E-Rate• Private Grants

• Access to faster speeds• Collaborative partnerships

Challenges:

Arkansas State Library Contact information:

Amber GregoryE-Rate Coordinator

Amber@library.arkansas.gov501-682-8576

Donovan MaysTechnology Support CoordinatorDonovan@library.arkansas.gov

501-682-5291

Sally HawkesNetwork Services Manager

Traveler DatabasesSally@library.arkansas.gov

501682-6052

Connect ArkansasAdult Digital Literacy

ProgramKatie Holder

Digital Literacy Program Coordinator

Adult Digital Literacy

• What is the Connect Arkansas Adult Digital Literacy Program?– Free computer and internet classes for

adults– Offered in 17 counties around the state–Mainly offered at libraries– Small classes

Adult Digital Literacy

• Topics Include:– Computer Basics 1 & 2– Internet Basics– How to Set Up an Email Account– How to Use Your Email Account

Effectively–Word 1 & 2– Excel 1 & 2– Facebook (Users and non-users)– FAQ

Adult Digital Literacy

• How has this program grown?

Adult Digital Literacy

• What are the plans for this program in the future?– State funding in October 2013– Grow from 17 to all 75 counties– Additional Digital Literacy Training

Specialist hired in August 2013– Increased number and type of

partnerships– Increased class topics based on need

Adult Digital Literacy

• What are the challenges of this program?– Students’ fear– Students’ patience– Quality vs. Quantity

Adult Digital Literacy

• Increase Internet adoption by showing relevancy

• Decrease digital disparities• Increase job and job application skills• Decrease demands on librarians’

time

Connect ArkansasInternet Advocacy and Education

Emerson EvansChief Operating Officer

Connect Arkansas Mission

• Dedicated to increasing high-speed Internet subscription and improving and sustaining Internet adoption in the state

• The goal of improving personal lives and creating economic opportunity for Arkansans through the use of the Internet

Barriers to Adoption of the Internet

• The Problem– 78% of Arkansans use the internet on a daily basis– 71% of Arkansans subscribe to broadband in the

home

• Why?– Access

• Is Broadband available?• Affordability (service & equipment)

– Education• “I don’t need the Internet”• “I want to use the Internet, but I don’t know how”

Access: Broadband Mapping

• The high-speed Internet mapping initiative compiles and delivers a comprehensive, bi-annual mapping of Arkansas’s existing high-speed Internet infrastructure

• Map developed in partnership with more than 80 wireline, fixed wireless, mobile broadband, and satellite providers serving Arkansas.

• Connect Arkansas created and now maintains an interactive high-speed Internet map for Arkansas residents to check high-speed Internet availability at the address level.

Access: Broadband Mapping

Access: Broadband Mapping

Affordability: Computers 4 Kids

• Digital Literacy training for 1,710 students. Each student receives a free, refurbished computer upon completion of the class.

• The digital literacy program has trained more than 1,300 students, all of whom have received a free, Internet-ready, refurbished computer.

Relevancy: Broadband Awareness Campaign

• Advertising campaign focused on telling people why the internet is relevant to them

• The “Get Connected” ad campaign created by Connect Arkansas is running in • 94 newspapers, • 56 radio stations, • 11 television stations and • 5 cable markets throughout Arkansas.

•In the second quarter of 2013, 11 radio interviews with radio stations around the state were conducted. This campaign has generated over 1,200 phone calls to date.

Education: Website in a Day

• Teach business owners and governmental agencies at the county and community level how to build a website around their business or organization.

• Over 290 business owners and governmental workers have received training in how to build and maintain a website for their business or organization

DIGITAL LITERACYDr. David Rainey

Why it’s important and why parents should seek

opportunities to get the skills

Communities must support libraries and

other public outlets that have computers and

Internet access, such as the D-TechCenter in Dumas.

Public access is a quality of life

issue!

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