Digital Inclusion

Library Development at Colorado State Library supports efforts from Office of Future Work, Office of eHealth and Innovation, and other related state agencies in a two-prong approach:

• To increase access to broadband and internet to Colorado libraries
• To increase capacity of Colorado libraries in providing digital literacy instruction, platforms for learning digital skills, and other lifelong learning opportunities for adults

Consultants in Library Development, including Cristy Moran, Adult Library Services Senior Consultant, and Kieran Hixon, Rural and Small Libraries Consultant, are active participants in broadband expansion and digital literacy/ inclusion initiatives with state agencies and related partners through this planning and implementation phase of the Digital Equity Act. Library Development at Colorado State Library is in alignment with the following action item efforts:

• Broadband affordability & availability
• Accessibility of public resources & services
• Affordability & availability of internet-enabled devices

Digital Equity Plan for Colorado

• Office of Future Work Digital Equity Presentation, April 2023 (PDF) 
• Join the Digital Equity Committee for Colorado (Google Form) 
• Connect to Health @ Your Library (Rural telehealth pilot collaboration with Office of eHealth Innovation and Colorado State Library)

Research & Reports

Colorado 

• 2021 Digital Literacy & Inclusion Report for Colorado 

Beyond Colorado  

• Digital Equity Act Population Viewer from U.S. Census Bureau (Interactive Map)
• New Landscape of Digital Literacy, report from National Skills Coalition
• NY State Library's Digital Inclusion Toolkit 
• Public Library Association's 2020 Technology Survey Summary
• Aging Connected: Exposing the Hidden Connectivity Crisis of Older Adults from OATS

Digital Literacy Instruction & Programming

Free Curriculum and Content

• Digital Learn - Free curriculum and content from Public Library Association
  • Full curriculum and content available in Spanish by selecting "Español" from link on top left of page
  • Resources for Trainers 
• Denver Public Library's Technology Classes & Workshops - Free curriculum and content 
  • ​Links to Google Drive include lesson plans for library trainers and materials for students 
• Senior Planet - Free live virtual classes
• Learners' Guide Worksheet (Fillable PDF) for adult digital equity program/ course planning

Librarian and Library Staff Learning

• Skills for 21st Century Librarians: Learning Objectives for Library Programming 
• Technology Competencies Suggested for Public Library Staff (Denver Public Library) 

Partners for Digital Inclusion 

• National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA)
  • Join the NDIA Affiliate for Nonprofit or Government Entities (free)
  • Join the Digital Inclusion Working Group facilitated by American Library Association - Info and sign up at link