Bridging the Digital Divide: Technology, Community and Public Policy / Edition 1

by Lisa J. Servon

Overview

Bridging the Digital Divide investigates problems of unequal access to information technology. The author redefines this problem, examines its severity, and lays out what the future implications might be if the digital divide continues to exist.

• Examines unequal access to information technology in the United States.
• Analyses the success or failure of policies designed to address the digital divide.
• Draws on extensive fieldwork in several US cities.
• Makes recommendations for future public policy.
• Series editor: Manuel Castells.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780631232414
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	10/11/2002
Series:	Information Age Series
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	7.87(w) x 9.84(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

Lisa J. Servon is Associate Professor of Management and Urban Policy and Associate Director, Community Development Research Center, Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy, New School University. Her work focuses on urban economic development and urban poverty and her first book, Bookstrap Capital: Microenterprises and the American Poor was published in 1999.

Table of Contents

Special Recognition.

List of Figures.

List of Tables.

Acknowledgments.

Foreword.

Preface.

1. Redefining the Digital Divide.

2. The Dimensions of the Digital Divide.

3. The Role of CTCs within the Community Technology Movement: Marla K. Nelson, Rutgers University.

4. Support for Bridging the Gap.

5. Community Technology and Youth.

6. Training Disadvantaged Workers for IT Jobs.

7. The Organizational Divide: Josh Kirschenbaum and Radhika Kunamneni, PolicyLink.

8. Building the Bridge: Learning from Seattle.

9. Toward a New Agenda.

Bibliography.

Appendix 1: Research Strategy and Methodology.

Appendix 2: Community Technology Survey.

Appendix 3: Analysis of Survey Results.

Appendix 4: World Wide Web References.

Bibliography.

Index.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

‘Bridging the Digital Divide makes it clear that the digital divide is only one symptom of persistent poverty — a problem that touches us all. Fortunately, this is a case in which treating the symptom may help cure the disease. Servon’s book shows us that programs aimed at closing the divide are creating pathways out of poverty for many low-income technology users, who are acquiring career skills, educational advantages, and new knowledge that can lead to living-wage jobs’. Laura Breeden, Director, America Connects Consortium

This book is very dry, but in a good way, laying out where exactly the digital divide falls and assessing how programs across the country have tried to answer the question: Why cant Johnny surf? A must-read for serious technology activists. City Limits

This interesting and valuable addition to the literature on urban poverty and access to computers linked to the Internet is an empirical study that concludes with some sensible and thoughtful policy recommendations. Highly recommended. E. Lewis, New College of Florida

Editorial Reviews

‘Bridging the Digital Divide makes it clear that the digital divide is only one symptom of persistent poverty — a problem that touches us all. Fortunately, this is a case in which treating the symptom may help cure the disease. Servon’s book shows us that programs aimed at closing the divide are creating pathways out of poverty for many low-income technology users, who are acquiring career skills, educational advantages, and new knowledge that can lead to living-wage jobs’. Laura Breeden, Director, America Connects Consortium

This book is very dry, but in a good way, laying out where exactly the digital divide falls and assessing how programs across the country have tried to answer the question: Why cant Johnny surf? A must-read for serious technology activists. City Limits

This interesting and valuable addition to the literature on urban poverty and access to computers linked to the Internet is an empirical study that concludes with some sensible and thoughtful policy recommendations. Highly recommended. E. Lewis, New College of Florida

From the Publisher