Libraries in Recovery 2021 "Fiber to the Library"
Benton Institute Senior Fellow Jon Sallet gives a look at a top infrastructure policy recommendation that would underpin any effort to finally close the US digital access divide. We'll hear how well this approach has worked and discuss opportunities for libraries to partner with fellow anchor institutions in preparation for a new national infrastructure rebuilding effort. Jon Sallet is co-author of "If We Build It, Will They Come? Lessons from Open-Access, Middle-Mile Networks"
Joanne Hovis, President of CTC Technology, is a recognized authority on broadband markets and on the evolving role of public–private partnerships in the provision of communications services to the public.
"Perhaps no one has more experience in how communities can come together in common purpose to plan and build their own future with critical telecomm infrastructure, than Joanne Hovis." -Don Means
“'Middle-mile' networks reach from national and major regional internet backbones to a local connection site (which could be a school or library but which could not be, by definition, a residence)." -- Report, Dec. 1, 2020
How does this approach benefit libraries and how can they participate or advocate in building them?
Speakers:
Jon Sallet, Senior Fellow, Benton Institute for Broadband and Society