Libraries are invited to participate in a brief broadband speed test as part of the larger Digital Inclusion Survey (digitalinclusion.umd.edu). As part of its E-rate Program modernization effort, the Federal Communications Commission is gathering data to inform changes in the program and better understand library and school broadband needs. Speed test data from your library(ies) will help determine upload/download speeds that users experience at different times during the day - providing a critical measure of service quality in public libraries and helping to inform the FCC about library broadband needs.
You can help by taking the speed test by August 1, 2014. To begin, go to http://digitalinclusion.pnmi.com/speedtest/. If you need help answering the questions about your library's bandwidth, you can contact the SCLS Help Desk for assistance.
The study is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and conducted by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Information Policy & Access Center (iPAC) at the University of Maryland College Park. The project also is supported by the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), the Public Library Association (PLA), the Urban Libraries Council (ULC), and the Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).
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