Global Issues and Broadband Deployment

This post should have been posted a long time ago, but maybe it is a good thing I waited.

You see I went to do some homework at the Harold Washington Lirary this past weekend and I was in awe when I arrived.  I don’t know if any of you have seen the new facility that just recetly opened in the lower level of the library?  The YouMedia department?  Well, if you have not I think you should!  It is really amazing!!!  And yes!  It is being utilized!!!!

http://youmediachicago.org/

What is the YouMedia?  It is a teen spot that has been created with special grants and funds gathered by many individuals who felt that teens need all the tools they can get to empower there creativity in a 2.0 world.  In addition, Harold Washington library has a fast Internet connection that surprised me!  Kudos!!!

So what does Global Issues and Broadband Deployment have to do with Harold Washington Library?  Access, that’s what.  After checking out some of the readings for this module I noticed that access plays a major role in this issue.  If you think about it public libraries serve a lot of underprivilege individuals who cannot  afford broadband or even dial-up Internet service.  They visit public libraries because it is the only place they can go for free information and free Internet access.

You should have seen how many users were on the Internet station at Harold.  Not one empty seat!!!  What does that tell us?  Not very many people have Internet access at home.  Free Internet service is essential for communities who lack the resources of obtaining their own private service.

FREEDOM OF THE INTERNET! PLEASE!

There was a You Tube video that talked about Net Neutrality and the possibility of paying a  higher “toll” for using it.  They also talked about the Internet Bill with the hopes that it will be passed to provide free Internet access to everyone.  However,there are many corporations that are paying big bucks to fight against that bill being passed.  Sad but true.  There are many individuals who still like to hoard all the resources.  So if Internet sites can’t pay the toll what does that mean for the future?  For our libraries?

The Internet should be free for all.  Everyone (who has access to a computer) uses the computer for everything!  They watch shows, movies, they check their homework assignments, messages, they work from a computer, etc!  If we limit access to these services then we are withholding information from our citizens.

BACK TO HAROLD

The YouMedia at Harold Washinton Library is a perfect example of open access.  Teens gather around and create Podcasts, You Tube videos, music, etc. through the use of computers and the Internet.  They post their creations onto the YouMedia Website and share their creations.  Who are these teens?  They are the users who depend on these free services that they cannot obtain at home.  Without broadband services (and larger bandwidths) information is limited.  Without the Internet can we take a step backward in technology?  I don’t think so!  We have worked so hard to move forward.  Why create all these wonderful services to later take it away or limit it?  Do you think Obama would have been President without his trusty Internet Network?  Do you think we would know what our neighbors are doing in China without the Internet?  NO!!!

In other words; no Internet = no network, no friends across the globe, no understanding, and no future.

What do you think?