When you think about the digital divide in the U.S., what comes to mind? Probably that some people have access to the Internet and some don’t, but that’s only part of the story. Dane Dell, director of information systems for the Onondaga Public Library system, says it’s about much more than just who can search the web.
“It’s about digital inclusion,” said Dell, who graduated from Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies with a master of science in information management in 2011 and a PhD in information science and technology in 2017.
For example, if you don’t have a cell phone, you can’t make calls as easily, but you also can’t get critical weather and emergency alerts. A lack of skills, knowledge, money and infrastructure are just some of the ongoing issues Dell is trying to alleviate for community members through his work in the library system.
“There are things we take for granted as far as who has access to what,” he said.
Dell was recently featured on the iSchool’s “Infoversity” podcast and shared ways he is working to give more people access to critical technology.
He has worked with Onondaga County libraries since 2018 and oversees the enterprise system that connects all 32 libraries in the county. He purposefully seeks out and oversees projects that improve computer literacy and access to information – two areas that he sees as essential to improving the most impoverished communities.
One project that is especially meaningful to him is the library system’s hotspot lending program, which allows patrons to borrow a computer and hotspot that can support up to 12 devices for three weeks. This helps people who can’t always get to the library during regular business hours to use the in-house computers.
“That’s a huge deal, and I think a lot of people appreciate being able to use it,” he said.
In Onondaga County, the aging population and refugees are two groups of people who often request the most help, Dell says. Older residents are especially vulnerable, he says, because they want to learn how to use technology to connect with family members and participate in government, but they are often intimidated.
The good news is that the federal government has made huge investments into digital inclusion initiatives, Dell says, but he is constantly shifting to keep up with the fast pace of changing technology. For instance, having a 5G network is great in theory, but you need devices that can take advantage of that technology. Once you have that, you need to make sure community members know how to use those devices.
“That’s the literacy piece of it,” Dell said, adding that everyone needs access to the Internet. “It’s like having access to electricity or roads.”