This LibGuide explores the "digital divide" and how libraries can mitigate this trend. There will be a brief introduction to what the "digital divide" is and another discussing how libraries can be effective in combatting the problems that stem from this divide. Finally, there is a selection of books that can be accessed through Drexel's Digital Library listed at the bottom with brief descriptions that provide a starting point for further reading to dive into the nuance of the "digital divide".
In the most simple terms, the "digital divide" is "the gap between those who have and those who do not have access to computers and the internet". There are multiple ways to measure how the digital divide effects communities, with often overlapping parameters such as availability, affordability, quality of service, relevance, security, digital literacy, and access to equipment (Muller, 2022). Lack of internet access effects millions of Americans. About 1/3 of American adults do not have any active subscriptions to Internet faster than dial-up at home and about 34 million Americans have no access to broadband at all (Talbot, 2016). The digital divide within the United States is important to address as the divide exacerbates other divides, which limits many communities access to healthcare as well as economic and education opportunities (Muller, 2022).
Both public and academic libraries can be highly instrumental in decreasing the "digital divides" in their respective communities. 73% of local government leaders say public libraries play an important role in providing broadband access in their communities. While this is not a replacement for broadband at home, their impact is large. Libraries can be instrumental in facilitate education regarding digital literacy, as 88% of public libraries offer some sort of formal or informal training. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public libraries were faced with multiple challenges to facilitate communities that were forced into being fully online. Ways that public libraries helped expand internet access during this time included: amplifying Wi-Fi signals, lending Internet hotspots, equipping library vehicles with Internet access, and underwriting home internet access for low-income communities (Kananiʻopua Pelayo-Lozada, 2023). Academic libraries also have a large role to place in digital access as 20% of college students lack reliable broadband Internet access and/or the hardware to effectively access the internet. These numbers are higher in rural areas, particularly those with low-income communities and communities of color. Research libraries can provide loaner laptop computers to students as well as mobile Wi-Fi hotpost (Association of Research Libraries, 2020).
Bridging the Digital Divide with Mobile Services by 
Creating Digital Communities by 
Developing Sustainable Digital Libraries
Disability and the Internet by 
Inequity in the Technopolis by 
National Broadband Deployment and the Digital Divide by 
Technology and Social Inclusion by 
Without a Net by KananiĘ»opua Pelayo-Lozada, Lessa. “Leveraging Libraries to End the Digital Divide.” Statetechmagazine, 3 Feb. 2023, statetechmagazine.com/article/2023/02/leveraging-libraries-end-digital-divide.
Muller, Charlie, and João Paulo de Vasconcelos Aguiar. “What Is the Digital Divide?” Internet Society, 3 Mar. 2022, www.internetsociety.org/blog/2022/03/what-is-the-digital-divide/.
“Research Libraries Reduce Digital Divide through Broadband Services, Advocacy — Association of Research Libraries.” Association of Research Libraries, ARL, 4 Aug. 2020, www.arl.org/research-libraries-reduce-digital-divide-through-broadband-services-advocacy/. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Talbot, David. “The Unacceptable Persistence of the Digital Divide.” MIT Technology Review, 16 Dec. 2016, www.technologyreview.com/2016/12/16/155240/the-unacceptable-persistence-of-the-digital-divide/.