Building Digital Inclusion: Broadband and Missouri’s Public Libraries

In October 2012, MoBroadbandNow released the second in a series of reports analyzing broadband data and information collected through the 2011 state and regional needs assessment process.  Building Digital Inclusion provides quantitative data and qualitative commentary on Internet usage in Missouri’s public libraries.  In many underserved communities the public or community library is the primary broadband access point for citizens.  The report is designed to stimulate further discussion among citizens, community leaders, elected officials and broadband providers on how to increase the level of digital inclusion.

The Columbia Public Library is a branch of the Daniel Boone Regional Library. Thirty-seven percent of Missourians report accessing the Internet at a public library.