July 30,2013
TO: California Public Library Directors
FROM: Gerald Maginnity
Acting State Librarian
Acting State Librarian
RE: Survey on public library broadband needs, due August 30, 2013
In December 2009 the Broadband Summit for California public libraries increased our awareness of the issues involved in acquiring and maintaining broadband connectivity. Even though most public libraries provide basic Internet access, only a small percentage has sufficient high-speed broadband connectivity. Growth trends, and bandwidth demands from emerging services, indicate that public libraries will need high-speed broadband connections that can handle gigabit transmission speeds.
In January 2012 the Public Library Director Summit developed ideas regarding what should be supported by the state in terms of funding for libraries. One of its highest priorities was technology infrastructure. With that in mind, The LSTA 5-year plan adopted in June 2012 contains:
Goal V: Bridging the Digital Divide
California communities have access to technology and broadband connectivity
California communities have access to technology and broadband connectivity
through their local libraries so that they may participate in the digital world.
CENIC has now made a proposal that would allow all California’s public libraries the ability to join CalREN, the high-capacity Internet network to which most of the state's K-20 educational institutions are connected. Through the efforts of CLA in 2013, the State was made aware of how the CENIC proposal would fill a critical need and subsequently in the State of California 2013/14 budget bill, AB110, the following direction is given:
“The State Librarian shall prepare a needs assessment and spending plan to connect local libraries to a statewide high-speed Internet network.”
“The State Librarian shall prepare a needs assessment and spending plan to connect local libraries to a statewide high-speed Internet network.”
I cannot stress enough the importance of reaching this milestone in the efforts to secure state level funding for high speed connections. It will be critical that my report to the Governor and Legislature be as complete and informative as possible. Therefore, I am going to ask you to fill out an on-line survey by August 30 that will move us in that direction. While this will be challenging, we will be providing webinars and consultants to help you complete the survey.
• A one hour webinar will be offered to walk you and your staff through the survey and answer questions. Webinars are now scheduled for:
o Monday, August 5, 2013, 2:00pm
o Wednesday, August 7, 2013, 11:00am
o Monday, August 12, 2:00pm
o Wednesday, August 14, 11:00am
o Details will be released shortly
• Throughout the process consultants Joe Ford and Chris Goodheart will be available to assist you
• Attached is a pdf copy of the on-line survey to help you assemble the data before going on-line. It is also available at:
o Monday, August 5, 2013, 2:00pm
o Wednesday, August 7, 2013, 11:00am
o Monday, August 12, 2:00pm
o Wednesday, August 14, 11:00am
o Details will be released shortly
• Throughout the process consultants Joe Ford and Chris Goodheart will be available to assist you
• Attached is a pdf copy of the on-line survey to help you assemble the data before going on-line. It is also available at:
• Once the webinars begin, the survey will be available on-line
Filling out the survey does not commit you to anything. It is important to gather the necessary details for the Governor and Legislature in order to portray the current connectivity of California’s public libraries. I am most appreciative of the efforts you and your staff will put forth.
Respectfully yours,
Gerald Maginnity
Acting State Librarian of California
Acting State Librarian of California
An original copy of this letter can be found here.
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