Many options in Manatee County to close digital divide

MANATEE -- Manatee County families among the one third of Americans without Internet access are in luck. Several community resources provide devices, Internet connection and education in an effort to narrow the digital divide.

Libraries continue to be a strong resource, but cable companies are increasingly seeing the value in making sure all students are competitive.

As the back-to-school season begins the Manatee County Public Library System is gearing up for the daily rush of traffic.

Ava Ehde, library services manager for Manatee County's Neighborhood Services Department, said the libraries fill up quickly during the school year, especially at the end of the school day. And even though they have plenty of computers available for free Internet use, Ehde said the central library's recent remodel helps cater to the device-toting crowds.

"It's less of using our computers and more of their own devices," Ehde said. "That's why we did the charging stations and brought up the bandwidth when we renovated."

The libraries also offer an array of technologically geared

classes such as "iPad class: overdrive for the iPad" and "computer class: Windows/Internet security."

Classes focused on improving Internet search tactics and research skills cater to K-12 and college students. Ehde said they also host classes where patrons can bring in devices and receive help about how to best use them.

Renee Stokes, a youth services librarian at the central library, said she sees teens and younger children bring devices in mostly for entertainment purposes. But she also sees kids come in who need to use a computer for schoolwork, including accelerated reading tests.

The accelerated reading tests are required by some schools and help students hone their reading comprehension skills. The library's younger patrons frequently use CoolMath as well, a game Stokes described as "sort of like an XBOX game, but you're learning."

For students and parents who aren't able to travel to the library, Bright House Networks offers options for families who can't afford the full price of Internet services.

Through its Connect2Compete program, Bright House Networks provides discounted computers and Internet services to low-income families. Connect2Compete is a part of a larger national initiative, EveryoneOn.

EveryoneOn, a nonprofit organization, aims to bring devices, connectivity and education into homes across the United States. The organization has worked with Internet service providers such as Bright House to develop Connect2Compete programs.

Bright House's Connect2Compete program includes high-speed Internet to families for two years without any price increases, equipment rental fees or activation fees for $9.95 per month. The Connect2Compete service offers download speeds of 1 megabit per second and upload speeds of 384 kilobits per second.

Of the 62 percent of students who are enrolled in Manatee County School District's free or reduced lunch program, only the students receiving free lunch are eligible for the Connect2Compete program.

Families also cannot have any unreturned Bright House equipment, outstanding debt or had Bright House services connected in their home within the previous 90 days.

Households eligible for Connect2Compete Internet services are also eligible for reduced price refurbished laptop or desktop computers. Cost of the computers starts at $162.

For information on the services provided by Manatee County Public Library System, visit mymanatee.org/home/government/departments/neighborhood-services/library or connect to any branch by calling 941-748-5555. More information on the Bright House program can be found at brighthouse.com/about/about-us/community.

Janelle O'Dea, Herald business reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7095. Follow her on Twitter @jayohday.

This story was originally published August 6, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Many options in Manatee County to close digital divide."