“Digital Navigators are individuals who address the whole digital inclusion process,” according to the NDIA website. “Navigators can be volunteers or cross-trained staff who already work in social service agencies, libraries, health and more who offer remote and socially distant in-person guidance.”
Pottsboro Area Library and Easter Seals of Houston are receiving awards. Eighteen grants ranging from $320,540 to $389,840 were made with a total of $6.6 million, part of $10 million in support from Google.org.
Pottsboro's population is 2,360, and the library's operating budget was about $35,000 in 2019-2020, according to a presentation on digital inclusion.
The library serves the city and surrounding county and has been on the forefront of delivering digital services through various pandemic stages. Its work on connectivity has been noted nationally.
- The library didn’t close down during the pandemic and focused on making sure locals had Internet access and services. Federal COVID-19 relief funds earmarked for library services were used.
- CNN reported on the library’s outreach as a telehealth hub, establishing a private space for consults in partnership with the University of North Texas Health Science Center with funding from the National Library of Medicine.
- Benton.org reported that the library worked with a wireless provider to boost the library's Internet connection into the parking lot for off-hours access and to secure wireless equipment on water towers, so circulating hot spots would be usable in more areas.
