Digital Inclusion Corps

From January 2017 through February, 2018, The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance worked on a pilot project that aimed to increase digital inclusion in the United States through local digital inclusion advocates, called the Digital Inclusion Corps. The pilot project worked with three state library agencies and two museum organizations to bolster digital inclusion initiatives in tribal and rural communities.
The five Corps members worked with community stakeholders, anchor institutions, leaders and advocates to discover local digital inclusion-related needs, leading to bespoke (and sustainable) digital inclusion projects and plans. The Corps members worked tirelessly to implement the plans, share their experiences online and gather and annotate a collection of digital literacy materials for a publicly available resource library. 
The initiative has ended and reports will be published here when finalized. 
“Unlocking the key to full digital access and use could open a path of opportunity for so many residents. Libraries and museums are in a perfect position to serve this effort and be real catalysts for widespread digital inclusion.”
Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew

Director, Institute of Museum and Library Services

The Corps

Emily Kissane

Emily Kissane

Minnesota

Emily Kissane is Library Development Specialist with Minnesota’s State Library Services, administering state aid programs and the Library Construction Grant program.  She has experience in K-12 and higher education policy as well as in managing statewide technology programs.

Emily is hosted by the State Library Services & Charter Center at the Minnesota Department of Education.

Email: [email protected]

Drew Lauderdale

Drew Lauderdale

New Mexico

Drew currently works as a Visitor Services Educator at Explora Science Center in Albuquerque. His focus for the last few years has been in non traditional education, having worked as an educator at Leadership Mission International in Honduras, and at the Santa Fe Children’s Museum. 

Drew is hosted by the ¡Explora! Museum.

Email: [email protected]

Nicole Umayam

Nicole Umayam

Arizona

Nicole is a language advocate and archivist interested in Indigenous information management. Since 2012, she’s had the privilege of working with tribal communities in Oklahoma on various language revitalization and community archives programs. Nicole is currently based in Tempe, Arizona, where she works as a contractor for the Digital Arizona Library.

Nicole is hosted by Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records A Division of the Secretary of State

Email: [email protected]

Jeff Garcie

Jeff Garcie

Alaska

Jeff Garcie is a resident of Kodiak, Alaska. He has lived in Alaska for 5 years, traveling extensively throughout the state for business and pleasure. Jeff is a veteran of the US Coast Guard, a student of biology and anthropology, and a lover of the outdoors. Jeff has visited several remote villages here in Alaska and is excited to engage in a digital inclusion project that will have a great benefit and impact in these communities.
Jeff is hosted by the Alutiiq Museum.

Email: [email protected]

Sandy Tharp-Thee

Sandy Tharp-Thee

Oklahoma

Sandy Tharp-Thee, Cherokee, lives in Agra, Oklahoma, she is known for creating programs that all Tribal libraries can duplicate with little or no funding. Her Tribal Library received the 2012 ATALM Library of Excellence Award, 2013 Oklahoma Library Ruth Brown Award, 2013 Whitehouse Library Champion of Change. Sandy was named a 2017 Library Journal Mover and Shaker.

Sandy is hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.

Email: [email protected]

Matthew Kopel

Matthew Kopel

Program Manager

Matthew Kopel was the Program Manager for NDIA, and oversaw the Digital Inclusion Corps project.

Host Sites

Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository

Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, A Division of the Secretary of State

¡Explora!

State Library Services & Charter Center, Minnesota Department of Education

Oklahoma Department of Libraries

 

Expert Advisory Group

James Neal, IMLS
Sandra Narva, IMLS
Samantha Becker, University of Washington iSchool
Leana Mayzlina, NTEN
Joel Krogstad, CTEP
Bernadine Joselyn, Blandin Foundation
Susan Feller, Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums
Roberto Gallardo, Mississippi State Univeristy Extension 

Field Reports

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