Digital divide

[Mary Alice Ball]

Wally and company,

Sorry for the lateness of this text for the Google application relating digital divide issues. I tried to keep it concise knowing that there are space limitations. Please feel free to use any or all of it as you wish. It was a pleasure to work with all of you. Wonderful press conference today!!!

Mary Alice

Evanston is a diverse and inclusive city concerned about bridging the digital divide so that all of its residents can benefit from the applications and resources available on the Internet. Visitors focus on the lakefront mansions, unaware that most Evanstonians live in modest bungalows and ranch homes, or that roughly 40% of the city’s schoolchildren qualify for free or reduced lunches. Usage of the main library and branches has increased dramatically in the last year as the unemployed and jobseekers come in to take advantage of the free Internet access. In spite of added workstations and wireless access the libraries cannot keep up with the demand for bandwidth.

The city has adapted a survey used by San Francisco and Philadelphia and plans to use it to create a broadband map to better understand adoption rates throughout Evanston, from wealthier white neighborhoods to the predominantly black and Latino west side. Evanston has a large population of senior and differently abled citizens, some living in community and others independently. The city is a model for the rest of the country, its range of support agencies and structures demonstrating a respect for all residents, regardless of their economic status, race, abilities or age.

Google’s gigabit network would enable Evanston to bring ultra high speed connectivity to community anchor institutions – schools, libraries, hospitals, senior centers and recreation facilities – where people go to learn how to use the Internet and integrate it into their work, educational and social lives. Relevance is a critical factor in changing broadband availability into broadband adoption. The bid to become a Google Fiber test bed has energized and unified the city’s diverse constituencies. If selected, Evanston will build on that momentum to expand digital literacy and spread the benefits of gigabit connectivity to every corner of the city. Evanston will serve as a model for the educational enlightenment, economic opportunities and social enrichment that Google’s network can deliver.