$14.5 million program will place secure internet access portals in libraries across Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s public libraries could soon become one-stop access points for telehealth appointments, job interviews and workforce services under a new $14.5 million initiative announced by the Oklahoma Broadband Office.
The program will make up to 175 broadband-enabled community access portals available to libraries across the state, giving residents private spaces equipped with high-speed internet to connect with healthcare providers, employment services and digital skills training. The initiative is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act Capital Projects Fund.
Rather than focusing solely on expanding broadband infrastructure, the initiative aims to use libraries as community service hubs where residents can access essential online services that may otherwise be difficult to reach, particularly in rural areas.
“Broadband is about far more than internet access,” Oklahoma Broadband Office Executive Director Mike Sanders said. “It is about connecting Oklahomans to opportunities that improve quality of life. By partnering with libraries across the state, we are leveraging these trusted community spaces where residents can access healthcare, pursue employment opportunities, and develop the digital skills needed in today’s economy.”
According to the Broadband Office, more than 75 rural libraries and regional library systems expressed interest during an initial survey. The agency said libraries can begin requesting community access portals immediately and described the effort as the nation’s first statewide initiative of its kind.
The secure portals are designed to support a range of services, including:
- Virtual primary care and telehealth appointments.
- Remote job interviews.
- Workforce development programs.
- Digital literacy training.
The initiative builds on efforts already underway in parts of Oklahoma, where some libraries provide designated spaces for telehealth appointments and others participate in hotspot lending programs that allow patrons to borrow mobile internet devices. The new program would expand those concepts by creating dedicated, secure spaces for a broader range of online services.
If widely adopted, the initiative could make public libraries an increasingly important part of Oklahoma’s digital infrastructure by providing access not only to the internet, but also to healthcare, employment and other essential services for residents who may lack reliable broadband or private locations for online appointments.
The initiative represents another step in Oklahoma’s effort to expand the practical uses of broadband infrastructure, shifting the focus from simply extending internet access to helping residents connect with healthcare, employment and other essential services through trusted community institutions.
