Digital Inclusion

Library Development at Colorado State Library supports efforts from Office of Future Work, Office of eHealth and Innovation, and other related state agencies in a two-prong approach:

• To increase access to broadband and internet to Colorado libraries
• To increase capacity of Colorado libraries in providing digital literacy instruction, platforms for learning digital skills, and other lifelong learning opportunities for adults

Consultants in Library Development, including Cristy Moran, Adult Library Services Senior Consultant, and Kieran Hixon, Rural and Small Libraries Consultant, are active participants in broadband expansion and digital literacy/ inclusion initiatives with state agencies and related partners through this planning and implementation phase of the Digital Equity Act. Library Development at Colorado State Library is in alignment with the following action item efforts:

• Broadband affordability & availability
• Accessibility of public resources & services
• Affordability & availability of internet-enabled devices

Digital Equity Plan for Colorado

• Office of Future Work Digital Equity Presentation, April 2023 (PDF) 
• Join the Digital Equity Committee for Colorado (Google Form) 
• Connect to Health @ Your Library (Rural telehealth pilot collaboration with Office of eHealth Innovation and Colorado State Library)

Research & Reports

Colorado 

• Colorado Library Connectivity Map 
• 2022 Digital Equity Report from Library Research Services (estimated release July 2023) 
• 2021 Digital Literacy & Inclusion Report for Colorado (PDF) 

Beyond Colorado  

• Digital Equity Act Population Viewer from U.S. Census Bureau (Interactive Map)
• New Landscape of Digital Literacy, report from National Skills Coalition (PDF) 
• NY State Library's Digital Inclusion Toolkit (PDF) 
• Public Library Association's 2020 Technology Survey Summary (PDF)
• Aging Connected: Exposing the Hidden Connectivity Crisis of Older Adults from OATS (PDF)

Digital Literacy Instruction & Programming

Free Curriculum and Content

• Digital Learn - Free curriculum and content from Public Library Association
  • Full curriculum and content available in Spanish by selecting "Español" from link on top left of page
  • Resources for Trainers 
• Denver Public Library's Technology Classes & Workshops - Free curriculum and content 
  • ​Links to Google Drive include lesson plans for library trainers and materials for students 
• Senior Planet - Free live virtual classes
  • ​Materials to share on library social media, newsletters, and flyers [Coming soon] 

Librarian and Library Staff Learning

• Skills for 21st Century Librarians: Learning Objectives for Library Programming (PDF)
• Library databases for digital literacy and lifelong learning in Colorado libraries (PDF) [Coming soon]

Partners for Digital Inclusion 

• Digital Equity Committee Members (PDF) - Voluntary contact information provided by members, as of May 2023