Turning rural libraries in the Lori Region of Armenia into Community Internet Centers

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT 

The project aims to turn rural libraries in Armenia into community Internet centers by providing them with broadband Internet, Internet terminals, WiFi access points, video conferencing devices, computers with pre-installed digitized library software, and digital skills training for the community.  
 

WHY IS THIS PROJECT IMPORTANT? 

There are digital inequalities between rural and urban areas because of income inequalities. Today, about one third of the global population remains offline. Most of those offline are from low-income families. Families in rural areas of Armenia can’t afford to have broadband Internet at home. That is why it is important to bring affordable broadband connectivity to those rural populations. Rural libraries provided with broadband Internet, WiFi access, and Internet connection terminals can become community network nodes and facilitate the problem of Internet access in rural regions.