Hello Public Library Directors,

The Institute of Museum and Library Services would like your help assessing library broadband speeds.  Please visit http://digitalinclusion.pnmi.com/speedtest/ and run the speed test.  The link will ask you to login using your id (FSCS#) if you are unsure of your id the login box has a lookup feature.  Many of you participated in the 2013 Digital Inclusion survey which included a basic speed test tool, this is just a refined version of that tool.  If you have participated in the past you will receive a postcard reminder to take the new speed test early next week.  If you have not participated before, the test is open to any interested public library.  The FCC will use the results the test to inform changes in the E-Rate program and better understand library and school broadband needs. Speed test data from your library(ies) will help determine upload/download speeds that users experience at different times during the day - providing a critical measure of service quality in public libraries and helping to inform the FCC about library broadband needs.

You can help by taking the speed test by August 1, 2014. To begin, go to http://digitalinclusion.pnmi.com/speedtest/. Thank you! 

The study is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and conducted by the American Library Association(ALA) and the Information Policy & Access Center (iPAC) at the University of Maryland College Park. The project also is supported by the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), the Public Library Association (PLA), the Urban Libraries Council (ULC), and the Association of Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).

Thank you,

Joseph Hamlin

Library Data Coordinator

Library of Michigan

702 West Kalamazoo St.

P.O. Box 30007

Lansing, MI 48909-7507

Ph: 517-373-3828

Email:  hamlinj2@michigan.gov

URL:  http://michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan

Visit the Michigan eLibrary at http://mel.org