New York City Has An Internet Inequality Problem

Last Monday night, Mark Zuckerberg published a post announcing Facebook's new initiative to bring Internet access to the developing world. The blueprint for internet.org mapped out how Facebook and a host of phone company allies might connect an additional 5 billion people online through more affordable access, increasing data efficiency, and investing in local business infrastructure. It came with a video that depicted IRL social interactions in developing countries, along with a soundtrack cut from a JFK speech and soft, inspirational piano tones. As the Atlantic's Alexis Madrigal deftly pointed out, no one can call this ignoble, or unreasonable, even. Simply put, increased Internet access is a good idea––though the other message Facebook was trying to sell, the one that equated the company with peace and progress, was hokey at best. But there's another facet of Internet access that Internet.org does not address, and that's Internet inequality right at home, in cities that otherwise rank as some of the most "connected" places on the planet. New York City is already well–known for its ample (and growing) income inequality. But on Wednesday, Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer put out a report showing that the city's public schools and libraries vary widely when it comes to its broadband speeds. The report revealed that over 75% of New York City schools had maximum download speeds of 10 megabits per second, 100 times slower than the 2020 goal outlined by President... Continue reading at 'Fast Company'

[ Fast Company | 2013-08-26 00:00:00 UTC ]

Other news stories related to: "New York City Has An Internet Inequality Problem"


Viking Nabs Former Intelligence Director James Clapper's Book

The yet-to-be-titled book is scheduled for publication in 2018 and will trace Clapper's career in the military and his six and a half years as President Obama’s senior intelligence advisor. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-07-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Tony Ross tops 'most borrowed illustrators' list

Data released by Public Lending Right (PLR) has revealed that "Horrid Henry" creator Tony Ross was the UK's "most borrowed" illustrator across public libraries last year. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-07-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


In New York, a Library for Your Subway Ride

The public libraries of New York, Brooklyn, and Queens have teamed up with the Metropolitan Transit Authority and Transit Wireless to launch Subway Library, which offers free ebook downloads in subway stations. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


BookExpo 2017: Pete Souza

Pete Souza, chief official White House photographer during the Obama presidency, culled more than 300 images from the nearly two million that he took of President Obama alone. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2017-06-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


The 10 Most Innovative Companies In Education 2017

This year's education innovators are transforming how—and what—we learn. This year's education innovators are transforming how—and what—we learn.Online learning used to involve little more than clunky ebook versions of standard textbooks. No longer. Today the most... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2017-03-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Libraries 'crucial' for the nation's engagement in literature, says RSL

The role of public libraries is "crucial to sustaining and building engagement in literature", the Royal Society of Literature has concluded from a survey conducted with Ipsos MORI. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


UK libraries 'missing 25m books'

The UK's public libraries are missing 25 million books, according to new figures from libraries body CIPFA, although the decline in books could be worse than the figures indicate due to discrepancies between computer audits and physical stock takes. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2017-02-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Long Overdue

In 1906, a reporter for the Detroit Free Press described a scene that had become all too common at the city’s public libraries. A child hands an overdue book to a stern librarian perched behind a desk, and with a “sinister expression,” the librarian demands payment of a late fine. In some cases,... Continue reading at Slate

[ Slate | 2017-02-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Transcript: President Obama on What Books Mean to Him

President Obama in the Oval Office on Friday during an interview with Michiko Kakutani, the chief book critic for The New York Times. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2017-01-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Critic's Notebook: Obama’s Secret to Surviving the White House Years: Books

President Obama in the Oval Office during an interview with Michiko Kakutani on Friday. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2017-01-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


How can libraries survive and thrive in the 21st century?

Rob Wilson on how the government wants local authorities to think differently about public libraries. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-12-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Libraries' Ambition report offers £4m fund but 'ignores the real issues'

The long-awaited Ambition report for Public Libraries has been published, urging local authorities to use libraries to deliver other public services such as health, with the help of a £4m dedicated fund. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-12-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Delay to Libraries Taskforce report 'a disgrace'

Library campaigners have expressed their intense frustration at the continued non-appearance of the Libraries Taskforce's Ambition report on a national strategy for England's public libraries. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-11-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


White House Letter: Lucrative Book Deals Might Finance the Obamas’ Post-White House Life

President Obama on the South Lawn of the White House in July. He could earn as much as $30 million with a two- or three-book contract once his second term ends, said Raphael Sagalyn of the ICM/Sagalyn Literary Agency. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2016-09-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


'Libraries are vital to freedom of speech'

Rachael Jolley, editor of global freedom of expression magazine, Index on Censorship, has spoken out about the growing importance of public libraries for freedom of expression saying "at the heart of any library is the idea of a freedom to think and discover”. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2016-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Obama Nominates Carla Hayden for Librarian of Congress

President Obama has announced Carla Hayden, CEO of the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, as his nominee to become the 14th Librarian of Congress. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-02-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


If Merriam-Webster Doesn't Have Content for Instagram, Why Is It All About Peach?

Jesse DeWitt is the digital director of language learning products at Merriam-Webster. And as you may surmise from his title, DeWitt does not devote the lion's share of his time to the dictionary publisher's social marketing—he wears many hats for the New York-based company. In fact, he shares... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2016-01-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Free Guide to Ebook Licensing for Public Libraries and Publishers

Dosdoce, Bookwire and Publishing Perspectives are offering an exclusive ebook licensing guide for global public libraries and publishers. The post Free Guide to Ebook Licensing for Public Libraries and Publishers appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-11-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Tom Holland appointed to PLR Advisory Committee

The British Library has appointed Tom Holland as chair of the Public Lending Right (PLR) Advisory Committee for the next three years. Holland said: “I am hugely honoured to be taking on the role of chair of the PLR Advisory Committee, which does such excellent work in promoting the interests of... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-10-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this


Campaigners welcome literacy drive but condemn government hypocrisy

Library groups have welcomed education secretary Nicky Morgan’s drive for all children to have a library card, although campaigners say the news rings hollow at a time when many public libraries are closing. Desmond Clarke, a veteran library campaigner who has spoken out against library cuts in... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-08-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this