More access
A new partnership between OSU and public libraries in four Oklahoma towns soon will provide broadband access in rural Oklahoma.
A new partnership between Oklahoma State University and public libraries in four Oklahoma towns soon will provide broadband access in rural Oklahoma, the groups said Monday.
The effort is led by OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources along with the Elgin Community Library, the Rieger Memorial Library in Haskell, the Thomas-Willhite Memorial Library in Perkins and the Seminole Public library.
“This pilot program is something that has never been done in rural Oklahoma and hopefully will allow residents and civic leaders to experience firsthand how broadband access can improve people’s quality of life and strengthen local communities,” Brian Whitacre, OSU Cooperative Extension agricultural economist and the program’s principal investigator, said in a statement.
The pilot program allows individuals to check out a mobile hot spot device assigned to the libraries, essentially loaning out the internet, the groups said.
“These devices use cellular networks the same as smartphones,” Whitacre said. “They can be used inside a home, taken to restaurants, community centers and the like, and even go on a road trip. As long as the cellular network provider used by the hot spot has service in that area, the devices will provide broadband access.”
The groups cited a 2015 survey that indicated that only 44 percent of Oklahoma households with incomes of less than $25,000 have a broadband connection. The rate is less than half the 91 percent for Oklahoma households with incomes greater than $100,000.
The pilot program will run through April 2018 and is supported by Mobile Beacon, an organization focused on providing broadband to nonprofit entities throughout the country.
“We know many local residents use the library exclusively for their internet connectivity,” said Alison Bloy, director of the Thomas-Wilhite library. “We hope the hot spot program will fill a digital gap for the households that currently lack access to online resources for job training, educational research and social connections.”
Holly Hughes, shared branch manager at the Reiger Memorial Library, said libraries are places for people to access information and technology that they might not otherwise be able to obtain.
“This is certainly true for our community, which is why providing hot spots in the library is so vital,” she said. “Haskell is a small community with limited household incomes. The program will allow the residents of Haskell to have access to the internet in a way they wouldn’t be able to simply because of the prices involved.”
Brian Whitacre, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension agricultural economist recently completed OSU Cooperative Extension fact sheet “internet options for low-income households in Oklahoma.” The document includes information about low-cost broadband options available for rural Oklahomans. The fact sheet is available online at http://osufacts.okstate.edu.