Public Libraries, Digital Equity Coalitions, and the Public Good

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ABSTRACT Public libraries play a critical role in addressing the digital divide and advancing digital equity in their communities. However, little is known about their participation in digital equity coalitions and what this information might tell us about public libraries as partners in community-wide efforts to advance the public good. This paper seeks to address this gap in the literature by presenting findings from a pilot study of public libraries working with digital equity coalitions in the U.S. The findings from the survey revealed that public libraries support the public good through: (1) convening and leading digital equity coalitions; (2) participating in coalition action planning and advocacy to advance digital equity; and (3) actively centering equity, as opposed to equality, and social justice in their efforts to create and sustain healthy digital equity ecosystems. These findings suggest that if public libraries are to effectively lead and actively participate in digital equity coalitions they must not take a neutral stance to librarianship. The findings have implications for public libraries, coalitions, and policymakers interested in understanding how public libraries can support digital equity coalitions. This issue is relevant and timely, as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has allocated $2.75 billion to advance digital equity over the next five years. The agency has also recognized that community coalitions will play an important role in the success of this federal initiative.