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Libraries need broadband to educate and bring us together

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn spoke before the American Library Association--a Speed Matters partner--on June 26 to advocate for fully integrating high-speed broadband connections into American libraries.

Clyburn highlighted several programs in her speech--where she revealed that her mother was a librarian--including the Universal Service Fund's E-rate program. The commissioner proposed that E-rate be brought up to date for inflation to increase its purchasing power and to streamline the application process.

Moving onto adoption recommendations, Clyburn said:

"I fully support the ALA's position that, even as we focus on broadband adoption at home, we must continue to support the efforts of libraries and other anchor institutions which have served such a critical role in educating the public about how to make greater use of broadband services."

An FCC survey shows that 22 percent of Americans who do not subscribe to broadband at home cite digital literacy as the primary reason. Libraries are incredibly well positioned to reduce that number.

"No matter how successful policies to promote broadband adoption at home may be, we must continue to help libraries, and other anchor institutions, enhance their digital literacy programs," said Clyburn.

The National Broadband Plan recommended that anchor institutions, including libraries, schools, and community centers, get 1 gigabit connections. To read more information about how Libraries and Broadband Internet are intertwined, read the Speed Matters fact sheet.

Prepared Remarks of Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn Before the American Library Association

Benefits: Libraries (Speed Matters)