Nearly half of libraries now lend internet hotspots; 95% offer digital literacy training
CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) today published the 2023 Public Library Technology Survey report. The national survey updates emerging trends around technology capacity, resources for patrons, infrastructure, digital literacy, and staffing in U.S. public libraries. This data is vital to understand how libraries serve as hubs of knowledge and innovation in our communities and continue to evolve to meet patron needs.
The report addresses questions such as: How are library professionals advancing digital equity in their communities? What types of technology devices do libraries loan to patrons, and are more or fewer libraries offering these items compared to in 2020? What are the primary challenges libraries face in providing technology resources and services?
Key findings include:
- Almost half of libraries (46.9%) offer hotspots for checkout, an increase of 14.4% from 2020.
- About a quarter of libraries (24.6%) have digital media production equipment and over one-third (39.5%) have maker production equipment.
- 95.3% of public libraries offer some kind of formal or informal digital literacy training, and almost 30% report they offer a digital navigator program to assist patrons.
- Almost one in five (19.7%) libraries are involved in digital equity or inclusion coalitions at the local, state, or regional level.
- 95% of libraries offer e-books and/or e-audiobooks and 57.5% offer streaming and downloadable media for patrons.
- Federal funding is critical to supporting library technology needs: almost half (52%) of libraries applied for the E-rate program either individually or as part of a consortium.
- Subscription costs or payment terms are the top factor influencing libraries’ ability to offer digital content (selected by 85.7% of libraries overall).
