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G2S Project Code: 2021-MT-88866
State: Montana
Fiscal Year: 2021

Grantee
Montana State Library

Project Director
Director Name: Tracy Cook
Director Phone: 406-431-0685
Director Email: tcook2@mt.gov

General Information
Title: ARPA: Broadband
State Project Code:
Start Date: 04/08/2021
End Date: 04/30/2023
Abstract: In 2019, MSL commissioned a study of the broadband capacity of Montana public libraries, including subscribed broadband speeds and internal broadband capacity. Despite being the only source of freely available Wi-Fi in nearly 24% of Montana communities, the study revealed that 40% of libraries had outdated wiring and Wi-Fi equipment including routers older than five years. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced Montanans to rapidly adjust to a remote work and school environment, libraries became an even more critical resource for broadband connectivity. To address the increased demand, MSL invested pandemic relief funds to bolster library networks. Using ARPA funds, MSL conducted cabling installation at 28 libraries and equipment upgrades at 29 libraries. Ninety-five libraries further bridged access to the internet in their communities by loaning hot spots. Increased internet speeds and more stable wireless networks meant more Montanans could access the internet through their local library to achieve their desired goals for education, employment, and personal well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Goal: Internet Access

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$1,186,025.44

$0.00

$1,186,025.44

Intent(s)
Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.
Broadband adoption
Systems & Technologies

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Hot Spot Lending Program
Narrative: The COVID-19 pandemic greatly exacerbated the digital divide in Montana. In response, the Montana State Library invested in a hot spot lending program to help Montanans in need access the internet. Every public and tribal college library in Montana was eligible to receive hot spots to lend to their community members. Residents in 53 counties borrowed one of 912 hotspots procured and supported with $585K in ARPA funds. 48% of library hot spot users reported using the devices for educational or work-related purposes such as completing homework, checking school information, working remotely, or applying for jobs. Additional users reported informal educational uses like researching a topic of interest or learning a new skill.
Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical

Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 912
Average number of items circulated / month: 545
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 0

Partner Information

Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No

Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No

Public Libraries: 78
Academic Libraries: 15
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 2
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Library Internal Wiring
Narrative: The need for internet access increased dramatically during the pandemic as families used the internet to work, attend online classes, apply for unemployment, communicate with healthcare providers through telemedicine services, and stay connected with friends and love-ones. In order to address this need, many Montanans turned to their local library for support. MSL invested ARPA funds to bolster library networks during this time of increased need. MSL conducted 30 site assessments and prioritized libraries for the project based on several criteria including internet speed, equipment age, user per capita, and income per capita. Ultimately, ARPA funds allowed MSL to install cabling at 28 libraries and upgrade equipment at 29 libraries. Libraries such as Darby Community Library reported measurable, significant success from this program. Before cabling and equipment were installed, the library reported wired download speeds of 30 Mbps. After the project, they reported download speeds of 423 Mbps.
Intent: Improve library's physical and technology infrastructure.

Activity: Procurement
Mode:
Format:

Quantity
Number of equipment acquired: 0
Number of acquired equipment used: 0
Number of hardware items acquired: 128
Number of acquired hardware items used: 128
Number of software items acquired: 415
Number of acquired software items used: 415
Number of materials/supplies acquired: 1,019
Number of acquired materials/supplies used: 1,019

Partner Information

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Bicentennial Library of Colstrip
Address: 419 Willow Ave
City: Colstrip
State: MT
Zip: 59323
Name: Bitterroot Public Library
Address: 306 State Street
City: Hamilton
State: MT
Zip: 59840
Name: Blaine County Library
Address: 112 4th St West
City: Chinook
State: MT
Zip: 59523
Name: Carnegie Public Library
Address: 314 McLeod St
City: Big Timber
State: MT
Zip: 59011
Name: Choteau Teton Public Library
Address: 17 Main Avenue North
City: Choteau
State: MT
Zip: 59422
Name: Chouteau County Library
Address: 1518 Main
City: Fort Benton
State: MT
Zip: 59442
Name: Conrad Public Library
Address: 15 4th Avenue SW
City: Conrad
State: MT
Zip: 59425
Name: Darby Community Library
Address: 101 1/2 South Marshall Street
City: Darby
State: MT
Zip: 59829
Name: Dillon Public Library
Address: 121 S Idaho Street
City: Dillon
State: MT
Zip: 59725
Name: George McCone Memorial County Library
Address: 1101 C Avenue
City: Circle
State: MT
Zip: 59215
Name: Glacier County Library - Cut Bank Branch
Address: 21 1st Avenue SE
City: Cut Bank
State: MT
Zip: 59427
Name: Great Falls Public Library
Address: 301 2nd Ave North
City: Great Falls
State: MT
Zip: 59401
Name: Harlem Public Library
Address: 37 1st Avenue SE
City: Harlem
State: MT
Zip: 59526
Name: Joliet Public Library
Address: 211 E Front Street
City: Joliet
State: MT
Zip: 59041
Name: Laurel Public Library
Address: 720 West 3rd St
City: Laurel
State: MT
Zip: 59044
Name: Lewistown Public Library
Address: 701 West Main
City: Lewistown
State: MT
Zip: 59457
Name: Lincoln County Library - Libby
Address: 220 West 6th Street
City: Libby
State: MT
Zip: 59923
Name: Lincoln County Library - Troy
Address: 3rd & Kalispell
City: Troy
State: MT
Zip: 59935
Name: Livingston-Park County Public Library
Address: 228 West Callender Street
City: Livingston
State: MT
Zip: 59047
Name: Madison Valley Public Library
Address: 210 East Main Street
City: Ennis
State: MT
Zip: 59729
Name: North Jefferson County Library District Clancy
Address: 3 North Main Street
City: Clancy
State: MT
Zip: 59634
Name: North Jefferson County Public Library District - Montana City
Address: 1 Jackson Creek Road
City: Clancy
State: MT
Zip: 59634
Name: North Lake County Public Library District
Address: 2 First Avenue East
City: Polson
State: MT
Zip: 59860
Name: North Valley Public Library
Address: 208 Main Street
City: Stevensville
State: MT
Zip: 59870
Name: Red Lodge Carnegie Library
Address: 3 West 8th Street
City: Red Lodge
State: MT
Zip: 59068
Name: Ronan Library District
Address: 203 Main Street SW
City: Ronan
State: MT
Zip: 59864
Name: Roosevelt County Library
Address: 220 2nd Ave South
City: Wolf Point
State: MT
Zip: 59201
Name: Thompson Falls Public Library
Address: 911 Main Street
City: Thompson Falls
State: MT
Zip: 59873
Name: Wedsworth Memorial Library
Address: 13 Front St N
City: Cascade
State: MT
Zip: 59421

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
70% of the patrons that borrowed hot spots either did not have household internet service or relied on cellular data, as exemplified in the following quote. "Thank you - I am on disability and cannot afford Internet. Having wifi at home is an immense blessing. I'm a shut-in so being connected is wonderful! :) I am using it to learn new things. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" The remaining 30% of borrowers reported using hot spots to bridge access. For example, these users used the hot spots while working in the field, while caring for relatives without service, or while traveling. Of note, the hot spots helped connect family members for funerals even as the pandemic prevented travel: "Thank you for making the mobile hotspots available. We used it to live stream my uncle-in-law's funeral. He passed away unexpectedly and lots of family and friends were unable to travel to Butte for the service. With the hotspot we were able to share those moments with them even though the church did not have wifi. Thank you."
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
More than one in four Montanans do not have access to 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) internet. Montana ranks last among all states on this measure of access. 100 Mbps connections allows citizens to do internet intensive activities like online job interviews. 2 in 10 Montanans do not have access to an internet plan of at least 25 Mbps, the minimum broadband speed defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Consistent with these figures, the demand for hot spots continued even as stay at home orders concluded. The Montana Library Association presented testimony in support of continuing the hot spot program before the Montana State Legislature, and in a Digital Equity Survey administered to public libraries, 86% of respondents reported that the State Library could help their library provide more digital equity services by continuing funding for the hot spot lending program.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The need for broadband access doesn't stop when checkout periods end. Library partners report that some community members checkout the hot spots multiple times. Academic libraries have shifted to a semester long lending model to better serve students with ongoing need. However, hot spots cannot be a permanent solution. MSL plans to continue offering the devices to bridge access as Montana invests in more sustainable solutions through the Digital Equity Act such as enhanced service in rural areas and subsidized access for low-income households. Similarly, MSL hopes to find additional funding sources to help libraries upgrade their internal wiring and technology infrastructure.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
Yes
Explain:
The State of Montana's proposed budget includes one-time-only funds for continuing the hot spot program for the next biennium. If approved, the Montana State Library will continue to study the program's impact and report to a legislative interim budget committee. MSL does not currently have funds secured for continuing the internal wiring project, but the library plans to investigate possible sources including the federal Digital Equity Act.
Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:

Exemplary: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeLibraries play an important role as community anchor institutions in building digital equity in Montana, and ARPA-funded library connectivity projects helped fill a need for digital access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Montana State Library's successful work on broadband efforts will continue over the next biennium and beyond. Identified in the library's 2023-2027 Five-Year Plan, the State Library plans to work toward the goal: "All Montanans have sufficient access to and can use technology to enable their personal, educational, and professional growth." The library's Network Advisory Council prioritized funding in FY 24 toward working with a contractor to help Montana public libraries develop Digitial Equity Plans that will identify areas of community need and help libraries implement strategies to address barriers to the digital world. These plans will help libraries rapidly deploy solutions should federal or state funding become available.

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