Resources & Tools for Libraries

As of May 9th, the Trump Administration canceled the Digital Equity Act grant programs. The Digital Equity Act is a congressionally authorized program. ALA is concerned regarding the abrupt end of the Digital Equity Act programs and is exploring the impacts of this loss of funding for libraries. For more information check our FAQ.

Getting Started

Use these resources to support your digital equity work and promote your library within your local digital equity system.

To learn more about the status of Federal funding programs visit our Federal Funding Opportunities page.

State Digital Equity Plans

Use our interactive map to learn more about your state's Digital Equity Plan! We’ve gathered each state's plan along with information on where to go to find out more. Each state will handle the state capacity grants differently. Check our FAQ for updates on the State Capacity Grant program. Visit your state broadband office website for additional updates.

Webinars

Learn more from experts by watching the webinars below.

ALA & PLA: Expand Library Digital Equity Services with New Funds Now! (September 4, 2024)
Digital Equity Champions for All Learners: Partnering to Advance Digital Equity Co-hosted by ALA, Common Sense Media, and Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) (April 2024)
Advancing Digital Equity Through Federal Programs and Library Partnerships Webinar Co-hosted by ALA, Urban Libraries Council (ULC) Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL), and Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) (April 2024)
How Libraries Can Upgrade Their Internet Through the BEAD Program (February 2024)
How Libraries and Schools are Partnering on Digital Equity for Students NTIA and ALA (August 29, 2023)
"Gearing Up for the Digital Equity Act With Libraries" webinar co-presented by National Skills Coalition (NSC), ALA, and PLA (April 2022)

Connect with Experts

Reach out to local, state and national organizations that support and promote digital equity.

State Broadband Leaders Network
ALA: State E-Rate Coordinators
ALA: Digital Inclusion Working Group
Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA): Find the top library officials in your state.
NDIA: Digital Equity Researcher Inventory

Promote Libraries Inclusion in Digital Equity Programs and Plans

Use these resources to help promote and position your library’s resources and services within your community's digital equity ecosystem.

Understand Your Digital Equity Ecosystem

Use these tools to learn more about your community, identify existing resources and services gaps, and plan for future work.

LOUIS: Advancing Digital Opportunity: A Higher Education Toolkit
NTIA: Asset Mapping: Data Equity Gathering Best Practices
NDIA: Asset Mapping for Digital Inclusion
ACRL: Benchmark: Library Metrics and Trends
ALA: Census Data Literacy
NDIA: The Digital Inclusion Start Up Manual
ULC: Edge 360 tool to provide public libraries with a set of digital equity activities
ALA: National Data About Public Libraries
Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit and Introductory Video.
Free tool to help libraries learn about and improve their current broadband infrastructure and internal information technology (IT) environment.

Supporting Covered Populations

The Digital Equity Act promoted digital inclusion and spur greater broadband adoption among covered populations disproportionally impacted by digital inequity. Learn more about the eight covered populations.