KANSAS CITY, GOOGLE, DIGITAL DIVIDE

Google Fiber as a catalyst for digital inclusion

Presenters

Moderator: Angela Siefer, Senior Research Associate, Center for Digital Inclusion, University of Illinois 

Panelists: R. Crosby Kemper III, Executive Director, Kansas City

Public Library Cheptoo Kositany-Buckner, Deputy Executive Director,

Kansas City Public Library Erica Swanson, Program Manager, Digital Inclusion,

Google Fiber Michael Liimatta, President, Connecting for Good          

   

#SHLBConf2014

GOOGLE FIBER AND LIBRARY INITIATIVESCrosby Kemper III – Executive Director of the Kansas City Public Library

Google Fiber in Kansas City

Library host and venue for community meetings and conversations

Google Fiber Rollout and Fiberhoods Public Building Connections (Free for 10 Years)

Mobilization of the community to insure connections of libraries

Digital Divide and Importance of Anchor Institutions Mobility (40% of the Students in the District)

Catalyst for increased collaboration

Library Initiatives and Strategies Digital Media Labs Mobile Apps Literacy Centers Creative Commons Software Lending Library

Library Initiatives and Strategies MOOCs – Digital and Physical Spaces

Local Khan Academy – Emphasis on Local Content and Resources

Connected Learning and the Social Aspects of a Local Khan Academy

David McCullough intro to Jackson County history, Best 8th Grade Algebra teacher lecture

Partnership with Rockhurst University to create lesson plans for Meet the Past based on curricula

Writers at Work programs integrated with UMKC curricular program in high schools

Library Initiatives and Strategies Collaboration with Rebecca Solnit and

UMKC on a Community Geo History Initiative

UMKC Innovation Center -  Proof of Concept center for the KC region

Gigabit Access for Entrepreneurs and Small Business

GOOGLE’S DIGITAL INCLUSION EFFORTSErica Swanson - Program Manager of Digital Inclusion at Google Fiber

Addressing affordability as a barrier to Internet service

Gigabit InternetGigabit + TV

Free Internet

$70/m$120/m $0/m

$300 construction fee (payable @$25 x 12mo)

No recurring monthly fee for a minimum 7

years

2 year contract

1 year contract

Building partnerships & trainings that drive digital literacy

Creating an ecosystem of support for local digital inclusion work

CONNECTING FOR GOODMichael Liimatta, President Connecting for Good

Google’s Kansas City Digital Divide Study

Non-users are older, African Americans, Hispanic less educated, and make less than $25K. Age KC

Pop.Non-users

18-24 10% 2%

25-34 20% 7%

35-44 20% 10%

45-54 18% 15%

55-64 15% 19%

65-74 8% 17%

75+ 7% 27%

44% of Seniors are Non-Users

Income KC Pop.

Non-Users

Less than 25K

19% 42%

$25 - $50K 23% 21%

$50-$75K 17% 9%

$75 -$100K

14% 3%

100K + 15% 4%

42% of those who make less than 25K are non-users

Google Study Contd...

Education

KC Pop.

Non-Users

High School or Less

31% 64%

Some College

25% 20%

College or More

41% 11%

Less educated are heavily disadvantaged

Ethnicity KC Pop. Non-Users

White 59% 35%

Hispanic 9% 8%

African American

26% 46%

African Americans and Hispanics are heavily disadvantaged

Other Data not Google’s but from the Kansas City School District is that 70% of their kids do not have access at home

Broadband Adoption by Household

About Connecting for Good

Nonprofit organization that has been working to bridge the Digital Divide in the Kansas City metro area since 2011. 

Dedicated to making sure that everyone has access to Broadband regardless of their incomes. 

Believe in connectivity in the home. Wireless Internet Service Provider: Uses wireless

microwave technology to bring Internet access to low income families via WiFi mesh networks.

Free Wi-Fi hotspots throughout the city.  Low cost refurbished PCs. Digital life skills classes. Technology assistance to nonprofit organizations.

Current Activities

Promoted low cost Google to underserved neighborhoods - 7 years of 5 Mb connectivity for $300.

Free Wi-Fi Internet to over 500 households at three low income housing projects.

Provided over 600 refurbished low cost computers.

Over 1000 have been trained in Digital Life Skills.

Community Computing Centers.

KANSAS CITY DIGITAL INCLUSION ALLIANCECheptoo Kositany-Buckner, Deputy Executive Director Kansas City Public Library

Vision

Various organizations including the Library up to now have undertaken many individual efforts to try and address the digital divide but a larger opportunity exists for Kansas City to transform itself by putting in place a community wide collaborative effort to narrow the divide.

Goals

Produce a community wide plan and create a joint vision for adaption and delivery.

Barriers to access are removed through proximity, connectivity, affordability, quantity and collaboration.

Access to free internet, public Wi-Fi, public computing centers, low cost computers, digital literacy, job resources, education resources, and health resources.

Public Computing Centers in libraries, schools, public housing, churches, community centers, senior centers, social service agencies etc.,

Inclusive: Immigrants and those with disabilities. Funding and Fundraising Plan.

Action Plan

KC Digital Inclusion Portal Digital Inclusion Summit Formation of an official KC Digital

Inclusion Alliance Leadership Team Planning Grant

Working Group

Connecting For Good City of Kansas City Kansas City Kansas Public Library Kansas City Public Library Kansas City School District LINC Mid-Continent Public Library Metropolitan Community Colleges YMCA Housing Authority Parks and Recreation Kansas City Digital Drive Urban Tech

Presenters

Moderator: Angela Siefer, Senior Research Associate, Center for Digital Inclusion, University of Illinois 

Panelists: R. Crosby Kemper III, Executive Director, Kansas City

Public Library Cheptoo Kositany-Buckner, Deputy Executive Director,

Kansas City Public Library Erica Swanson, Program Manager, Digital Inclusion,

Google Fiber Michael Liimatta, President, Connecting for Good          

   

#SHLBConf2014