High-Speed Broadband for California Libraries

Project Goals

  • Universal High-Performance Broadband Adoption: Ensure every public library meets or exceeds California’s broadband standards and is connected to the California Research and Education Network (CalREN) or an equivalent service. This will enable libraries to provide communities with access to high-speed broadband and deliver core library services at the highest quality.
  • Affordability and Accessibility: Identify and administer state, federal, and other funding to provide California public libraries with the necessary infrastructure, equipment, and resources for their staff and patrons to affordably access online tools, programs, resources and services.
  • Digital Inclusion and Literacy: Enhance library staff’s ability to assist patrons and increase the public’s access to training and support programs that enable proficient use of digital technologies and support digital equity.

For additional information see the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Report to the Legislature.

Investment Since 2014

$47,041,510

Funding for grants and services that make it easier for libraries to connect

$4,027,000

Ongoing annual appropriation

Results and Impact

85%
of the public library sites that need support to meet California’s broadband standards are connected or connecting to the California Research and Education Network through this project.
968
of California’s 1,127 library sites are now connected or connecting.
Over 200 library sites will be seeking upgraded or new connections in 2023-24.

Staff in connected libraries report*

  • Their libraries are:
    • providing better support for individual and group online learning,
    • introducing new services and programs,
    • better able to support economic development in the community, and
    • receiving fewer complaints about Internet speed.
  • Community members can use their mobile devices effectively in the library.
  • Library staff can work more efficiently and have access to improved training and professional development opportunities.

California Libraries Broadband Map

Download the map data (CSV)

Project Partners

Imperial County Office of Education: The California State Library has designated the Imperial County Office of Education (ICOE) as the new Statewide Broadband Access Aggregator for the California State Broadband Services Project, assuming the duties and responsibilities previously assigned to CTC Technology & Energy (CTC), beginning January 1, 2024.

Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC): CENIC operates and maintains the California Research and Education Network (CalREN). The CalREN backbone includes roughly 8,000 miles of CENIC-owned and managed fiber, last-mile fiber, and hundreds of optical components.

More Information and Resources

Broadband for All: California’s primary web page for information about statewide broadband initiatives, plans and funding.

* Library directors are asked to complete an evaluation survey when their libraries have been connected to CalREN for twelve months.