The University of Oklahoma Libraries 2016 IMLS Sparks!

Ignition Grant Application

Narrative
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1. Project Justification
The OK Link Up Project is a multifaceted Digital Inclusion effort, concerned with broadband
and Internet infrastructure in Oklahomas most persistently underserved libraries, as well as
Internet and computer training. In short, OK Link Up seeks to ensure equity of access, and
digital literacy. What the project aspires to gain for thousands of Oklahomans is a robust
infrastructure for Internet access, and improved Internet and digital skills that would assist the
population in fuller economic participation, on local, state, and national levels.
In short, we propose promotion and facilitation of digital equity and readiness. IMLS and ALA
have gathered a wealth of data bearing out the links between reliable, robust Internet access and
broader opportunities. Where the former is lacking or nonexistent, it is imperative that systematic
efforts be taken to help close the gap. There must be actionable acknowledgement of stillpervasive disparities in access. And as they have been for many decades, libraries can, are, and
should be the gap-bridgers.
Our proposal adopts the common definition of digital literacy, recognizing it as the ability to
find, evaluate, utilize, share and create content using information technologies and the Internet.
We similarly embrace the concept of digital inclusion which tightens the relationship between
the pernicious Digital Divide and digital literacy. In the words of Kathy Rosa, director of the
ALA Office for Research & Statistics, "Digital inclusion resources and services, including high
speed Internet, provide people with opportunities to change their lives." The value of these
concepts is easily seen within statistics showing how much rural libraries still lag behind their
suburban and city counterparts, in terms of connection speeds and public access computer
availability.
The Link Up grant models provision of funding for broadband connection upgrades and tech
infrastructure overhauls across eligible local libraries. As noted, this project seeks to benefit
libraries in areas with very limited access to broadband and low broadband adoption rates among
the communities. Broadband Now offers copious data on a state by state basis regarding
broadband coverage. The numbers for Oklahoma are still surprising. As defined by the FCC,
broadband means speeds of at least 25mbps down and 3mbps up. In terms of the percentage of
Oklahoma's population with access to wired broadband, it is the 44th most connected state in the
country with 60% broadband coverage. Broadband Now also reports that 30% of the states
population is underserved.
Our first target library and partner is the Atoka County Public Library, in Atoka, Oklahoma.
Atoka was selected as an inaugural candidate due to its proximity to OneNet fiber, its possession
of a library, and comparatively low broadband adoption rate. The broad impact required by

Sparks Grants that OK Link Up can demonstrate is how even a modest financial investment can
effect considerable change for small, rural, and underfunded libraries and their users.
Funding would cover the costs of required hardware/software, including new routers and
additional public access computers. Grant money would likewise facilitate digital literacy
through program development and patron training. This project seeks to approach the problem
from multiple vantage points, including that of expanded and improved connection, physical
resource increases, and programming promoting lasting participation in the digital realm.
The project team will coordinate with the eligible library to assess current capabilities and
infrastructural status, and assist in the planning for upgrades and long-term sustainability. Data
requested by the Digital Inclusion survey and not previously given will be gathered from the
participating library. This will help project partners in their endeavors to better understand the
state of Oklahomas digital infrastructure. This knowledge will subsequently be useful in
constructing a national portrait of the broadband situation.
This project bears consideration for several reasons, not least of all because it recognizes that
Internet access digital skills lead to expanded opportunities for underserved communities. Digital
inclusion, as an actionable concept, promotes and supports greater participation in professional
training, higher education, and employment-seeking. This tends to yield healthier, and
economically improved communities. Similarly, digital access and training can lead to
opportunities for community-driven crowdsourcing projects. Not only could patrons learn to
utilize existing infrastructure (post-grant) to create new resources, but the programs success
could spark future requests for funding supporting related efforts such as local, small-scale
digitization.
The OK Link Up project respects and supports the Sparks Grants criteria, and reflects the critical
pillars for funding:
In-Depth Knowledge: OK Link Up arises from the persistent need for resources borne out by
data from libraries and national agencies concerned with digital access and inclusion
Innovative Approach: OK Link Up would not only provide robust Internet access, but would
also provide computer and Internet training and fostering of skillsets that can change the way
communities utilize their libraries.
Broad Potential Impact: as mentioned above, the OK Link Up project would ensure access to
digital resources and digital literacy training for communities still affected by the Digital
Divide. Furthermore, it would stand as a model for other libraries in comparable areas to follow,
in terms of needs assessment, resource implementation, and sustainable program development.

2. Project Work Plan

The OK Link Up project requires investment in hardware and people. Conduction of needs and
interest assessment will occur prior to the official initiation of the grant period. At the very least,
this allows the grant partners to focus their time and efforts to the best possible level of
efficiency. Representatives from the University of Oklahoma, OneNet, and the Atoka County
Public Library will function will as project planners and implementers. Atoka Library staff will
manage the project, and ensure its sustainability going forward.
Specifically, our project will assess infrastructural needs, and assist in acquisition and
deployment of required hardware and software in order to establish robust connections to the
OneNet fiber. Implementers and trainers will test the new connections with the new computers,
to be added to the existing public access computer offerings. Finally, project-affiliated staff will
begin training patrons and oversee program development to support digital literacy (and
inclusion) goals.
Awareness of the program and more broadly, persistent technological disparities, will be
accomplished through a variety of means. These include traditional print publications, to be
made available at the Atoka County Library, and throughout other key locations in the
community that receive considerable traffic. Word of mouth from program organizers and
implementers chiefly library staff will also be heavily utilized as a communication tool.
However, given the heavy dependence upon mobile devices for any Internet connections, the
project will reach out via web presence and through development of a companion smartphone
application. The development of this app will be the responsibility of the University of
Oklahoma, and will be considered part of the resources contributed by us as leading partner.
Our proposed timeline indicates data compilation and analysis of infrastructural needs occurring
presently up until February 2, 2016. Upon funding approval, we will plan to launch the official
grant activity on October 1, and begin by coordinating among the partners in planning phases.
Starting December 1st and occurring through February 1, 2017, hardware and software
installation and initial testing will begin, as well as staff (and volunteer) training. April 1 marks
the inauguration of what we are calling the Digital Literacy Phase, the start of patron training
and program development based upon community needs and interest assessment. We will
compose quarterly progress reports, and turn in a final report to IMLS on October 1st, 2017 to
conclude the formal grant period.
The project will link up all capabilities and resources to achieve transformative results. To do
this, we will need to involve individuals with knowledge of information systems, networks,
digital outreach, instruction and program development experience. The breadth of talent among
the partners is cause for optimism in this endeavor. With successful training of onsite, permanent
public library staff, the grants results will be ongoing.

Financial resources will be required for purchasing of upgraded hardware (ie. routers) for
speedier, more robust Internet connections. We also seek to increase the number of additional
public access computers to support access to digital tools. Educational software licenses for
patron use and training opportunities are also highly desired, as complements to the new
technology. Finally, funds for training program development, and project personnel hours that
exceed the mutually decided amount to be shared among the partners will need to be covered.
Project evaluation will be comprised of quarterly progress reports and a final report, to be
compiled and written by managing staffers among the three partners. Progress reports will
indicate successful completion of various stages of coordination, implementation, testing, and
program development. Once the phase addressing digital literacy begins, statistics, surveys, and
other data of both quantitative and qualitative natures will be collected. Even though the grant
period is for one year, the project partners will continue contact. And the candidate library will
be responsible for compiling annual reports on computer usage, patron feedback, and other
relevant aspects of the programs impacts.
3. Project Results
As explained above, many communities in rural Oklahoma lack or possess very limited
broadband access. In addition, rural libraries are more acutely affected by disparities in
resources, which only exacerbates the effects of the digital divide. The Broadband Technology
Opportunities Program (BTOP) funding ended in 2013; yet there is ongoing need within many
localities, especially in the Sooner State. The IMLS-sponsored Digital Inclusion Survey shows in
no unclear terms that cost is a major barrier to progress. Libraries that have the funding are better
able to serve their communities in this technological capacity.
Furthermore, when it comes to formal tech training, rural libraries are behind their city and
suburban counterparts at only 32%. Also notable is the average number of available public
access computers per branch in rural libraries standing at five. The OK Link Up program,
successfully implemented, will address these significant issues. Success looks like the following:
the library is properly and effectively connected to the OneNet fiber with the help of newer,
more robust hardware; the number of available public access computers is substantially
increased, at least doubled; patron digital literacy programming is established and sustainability
is ensured by sufficiently trained library staff. The big picture result is thousands of people in
an underserved community gaining access to digital tools and forming supplementary skills
which bear implications for their futures as individuals, and for that of their community.
As noted above, project evaluation will be conducted via creation of quarterly progress reports
and a final report. Progress reports will follow and account for successful (or unsuccessful)
completion of various stages of coordination, implementation, testing, and program
development. After the digital literacy phase formally starts, we will diligently collect statistics,
surveys, and other data of both quantitative and qualitative natures. The project partners will
continue contact even after the end of the one year grant period. All compiled data and
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documentation will be made readily available to various organizations, and through various
media. Our published findings will be designed for other organizations to follow in their
approaches to the rural broadband problem and fostering of digital inclusion efforts. In this way,
our project also possesses an awareness component, in addition to those of tangible action. We
anticipate continued rallying for further investment in state infrastructure and library budgets.
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Sources Consulted

FCC (Federal Communications Commission): https://www.fcc.gov/

National Broadband Map: http://www.broadbandmap.gov

National Telecommunications & Information Administration:

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/

Digital Inclusion Survey: http://digitalinclusion.umd.edu/

OK.Gov

OneNet: https://onenet.net/

American Library Association: http://www.ala.org/

Center for Digital Education: http://www.centerdigitaled.com/