Digital access and literacy are the currency for productive living in the 21st century. Today, public libraries provide essential services to ensure all community members can benefit from online and technology-related opportunities. Each year, millions of people use technology services at public libraries to continue their education, find jobs, improve their career skills, access e-government services, research health information, connect with family and friends, and much more.
The world and library users continue to change, and the Edge Initiative will help libraries continually evolve to meet the digital needs of their communities and connect their services to community priorities.
The Edge Initiative is an important moment for the library profession as we work together to:
- Provide libraries with clear recommendations – and the tools – to improve their public access technology
- Apply the benchmark data to demonstrate the value of technology-related services in supporting community-wide strategic priorities
- Acquire the resources needed to maintain valuable public technology services in libraries
- Build a national network of leaders that share knowledge, information and experience to advocate for the impact of public access technology
