Melisa Martinez LIS 701 02 Journal Summary #1 Weiss, Robert J. Libraries and the Digital Divide.

Journal Of The Library Administration and Management Section 8.2 (2012): 25-47. Print. Robert J. Weiss Libraries and the Digital Divide looks at the effects of the digital divide on libraries. Weiss seeks to describe the ways in which libraries, specifically public libraries, have sought to address the digital divide through access of modern technology. One of the points that Weiss explains in the article is the definition of the digital divide in modern society and how it continues to change. A second point examines the political and social policies that have addressed the challenges posed by the digital dive since the 1990s. Especially important to the article, Weiss in a third point describes the ways in which public libraries have addresses changes in technology, and how libraries have provided the have nots of the digital divide with access to technology. One theme in Weiss article explains the changing definition of the digital divide and the how concepts concerning access have contributed to its meaning. As it pertains to Weiss article, the digital divide refers to a gap between people who enjoy benefits of technology and those whose lives could be significantly improved by it. In this context, the benefits of technology include access to the technological resources and tools needed in order to gain employment in society or, as Weiss says, an essential tool needed in modern society. In many cases, the groups that do not have access to such tools and resources include lower income populations, minority groups, people with disabilities, and less educated people. According to Weiss analysis of the digital divide, the gap includes four divides: access, skills, economic and democratic. These four divides, as Weiss describes, concern the relationship between the user and technology (Weiss 26-7).

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A second theme in the article describes the specific political and social policies implemented in order to address the challenges of the digital divide between the 1990s and the present. Created in 1994 under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration in the Department of Commerce, the Technology Information Infrastructure Assistance Program provided a number of grants to public organizations needed for them to provide access to technological resources and tools within their local communities. In the beginning stages of the program, the NTIA found that income, race, education, and location played factors in a users access to technology. Studies conducted by the NTIA found that a majority of those that lacked access to computers and other technologies were low-income households, less educated people, and were located in rural areas. Another component that the study found was that these groups benefited and relied on technology for employment and educated related activities (Weiss 28-9). However, the transition between presidential administrations between 2001 and 2008 changed the way the program distributed funds to public organizations, primarily because the administration did not find the digital divide to be much of problem. Although the Bush administration between 2001 and 2008 significantly cut funds to public organizations for technological resources, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2008 passed under the Obama administration changed the role the government would play in providing funds to public organizations. Under the stimulus package of 2009, the government provided funds to public institutions such as public schools and libraries in order to develop greater access to computer and the Internet. In addition, the stimulus set aside funds to greatly improve broadband connections in areas with low access to the Internet (Weiss 34). A third component that Weiss addresses is the way that libraries and librarians have responded towards the digital divide. As Weiss describes, a number of libraries have

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incorporated the access of technology to their goals and mission. Particularly, librarians have not only provided their users with computers and the Internet, but have also guided and educated users with how to access technology and perform basic computer tasks. As an integral place in the community, libraries have extended their access to technology into providing job search services such as drafting resumes, preparing for civil service exams, and completing online employment applications. Because libraries provide an array of Internet and computer related services to the community, the library has become a valuable outlet to immigrants, the unemployed, and other groups that often do not have access to the Internet and computers (Weiss 37-8). Although the role of the library has changed dramatically, libraries are forced to do more with less because of alterations in their budgets. Robert J. Weiss is an experienced textbook editor that has worked for a number of publishing houses across various academic disciplines. He recently received his MLIS from St. Johns University, where he was an IMLS scholar. He also has a Ph.D. in History from New York University.

Melisa Martinez