The Idaho Commission for Libraries—along with nearly 150 Idaho state leaders, grant partners, and public library directors—launched the “online @ your library” broadband project on November 1 and 2. The launch workshop in Boise was sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Representatives from the Foundation spoke about the critical role that public libraries play in connecting Americans to technology and the Internet. And in her keynote address, “Connectivity Meets Community: Embracing the Future,” Library Consultant and Futurist Joan Frye Williams talked about libraries as idea laboratories and how this project will not only bring resources to rural communities, but will help to celebrate and support local identity. Launch participants shared their visions on the future of libraries in Idaho communities and how increased Internet access and online resources at the library will strengthen or change rural communities. They also brainstormed ideas for making public computing at libraries sustainable. Of the numerous ideas shared regarding possible results of the “online @ your library” project and how to make it sustainable, participants found the following most intriguing:

• Create libraries as community centers to facilitate citizen education, info sharing, Idea-labs to rebrand libraries as relevant and vital to community information. Reinvention of libraries as community gathering places.
• Make rural communities more competitive. Rural Idaho communities could develop more diverse and sustainable local economies. Bring together collaborations of community partners to effectively plan and follow through on economic development. Create and nurture partnerships with community resource people.
• Promote library services in the community. Keep library news in the public eye. Provide a marketing plan template for the local library. Help the community see free broadband access as essential.

During a moderated panel discussion on Day 1, project partners (Idaho Department of Labor, Adult Basic Education, Idaho Public Television, State Board of Education, public libraries, and ICFL) described their agency’s resources and discussed how to leverage their services and the unique role of libraries in rural communities. (Video coming soon!). On Day 2, librarians and project partners had a chance to get to know each other in a Speed-Dating session. The launch discussions and networking revealed that this project is “big for Idaho” and the possibilities for developing and expanding relationships are huge. We need to keep the conversation going and begin collecting the stories of how this effort helps the citizens of Idaho. See photos of the launch activities here. Read more about the online @ your library project. View the Opportunity Online Idaho BTOP Launch video.