PEP, May 2015: A Library Renaissance: Information Technology

The city’s public libraries serve as the gateway to the Internet for the 2.9 million residents who don’t have broadband access at home.

Still, the libraries fall way short of meeting the demand for information technology services and hardware.

Waiting lists for computer use—whether for Internet access or for preparing and sending out résumés—are common at the public libraries. Many buildings lack adequate Wifi service and need upgrades that cost tens of thousands of dollars.

A study of 45 locations by the Center for an Urban Future found that only 58 percent had plugs for 10 devices or fewer and 18 percent had plugs for one or none.

In a survey by the center, 70 percent of patrons said the existing computers, printers and Wi-Fi speeds did not meet their needs. The downloading speed at branches is far below the national standard.

“It’s not only that the public needs training, but the libraries also need the staff for maintenance,” said Ronaldo Barber, an IT worker at Brooklyn Public Library.

An overextended staff

Branches with equipment in Brooklyn have a limited number of laptops and tablets to loan out, Barber said. And half of the branches in Brooklyn don’t have hardware that patrons can borrow.

The library system has only 10 IT workers like Barber to do troubleshooting at its 59 locations. The staff struggles to meet its target of addressing IT problems within three days. Because of short staffing, libraries are generally only able to offer patrons introductory computer courses.

The staff would like to have more advanced courses, Barber said. Local 1482 President Eileen Muller said one reason for the shortage of equipment is that city funding for IT computers
and other devices is lacking. Libraries depend on donations.

Hardware with a life expectancy of fi ve years cannot be included in the capital budget, and with the tight operating budget, in recent years purchases haven’t kept up with the needs of patrons.

—GNH