Digital Literacy and Access
Forecasted
Digital Literacy and Access supports California public libraries with broadband access, digital navigation, and digital skills and safety training to reduce barriers to information, services, and opportunity.
Funder: California State Library
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2027 (Submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: $5,000–$20,000 per award; $250,000 total opportunity funding
Summary: Supports California public libraries in improving broadband access and digital skills through navigation services, literacy training, and AI or internet safety programming.
Key Information: Applicants must list at least one community connection; paid contractors do not qualify.
Description
The California State Library administers Digital Literacy and Access with federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding. The opportunity helps California public libraries improve access to high-speed broadband and strengthen community digital literacy through digital navigation, public training, and AI or internet safety classes. Libraries provide free, reliable broadband for residents whose limited home internet access creates barriers to banking, healthcare, homework, remote work, and job seeking.
The program advances goals shared with California’s Broadband for All Initiative and Goal 4 of the State Library’s LSTA investment plan: strengthening resource-sharing and access to information, services, and opportunity around local community strengths and challenges. Supported work includes program staff time, devices and supplies, community workshops, library-worker professional development, outreach, and evaluation.
