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Librarianship.ca > Events > Public Internet Access: Overcoming Digital Divides Workshop

Public Internet Access: Overcoming Digital Divides Workshop

Date

June 2, 2021 12:00 - 13:15

Location

Online

Details

Website: https://www.ryersonleadlab.com/overcoming-digital-divides

Although internet infrastructure is almost universal in many communities, barriers to internet adoption, including internet affordability, make a significant portion of people in Canada reliant on free public internet access at libraries, retail, and community locations. Over half of Ontarians who would not have otherwise had access to technology relied on a public library to access the internet, with rates higher (up to 68%) for older and low-income residents. Not only is this access relied on, public internet also fosters greater civic, social, and community engagement.

How should Canada expand access and improve the experience of public internet? Which particular groups are least likely to benefit from public internet access and how can this be improved?

Join us on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 12pm ET / 9am PT we’ll discuss how Canada can better support our public internet infrastructure for the marginalized communities who rely on them and for everyone. The discussion will focus on workshopping policy solutions with all participants to improve internet access and speed across Canada.

Speakers:

  • Christina de Castell, Chief Librarian and CEO at Vancouver Public Library
  • Lawrence Eta, Chief Technology Officer, City of Toronto
  • Michael Lenczner, Director of Powered by Data
  • Pam Ryan, Director, of Service Development and Innovation at Toronto Public Library and member of the Urban Libraries Council’s Digital Equity Action Team

The Overcoming Digital Divides: Workshop Series is a six-part workshop series to accelerate solutions to overcome Canada’s digital divides. This series aims to understand the complex digital divides in Canada and their impacts among the general public and key decision-makers in Canada.