Using the Resource Guide

The resource guide is intended to be a living document, updated regularly with new information from the original six cities, as well as ideas, questions, and resources from any other community interested in advancing its goals for broadband Internet access and digital inclusion.

The team envisioned the following applications for the resource guide:

• Assessment – Cities can use the resource guide to assess the current state of broadband Internet access and digital inclusion in their communities. The guide will provide national benchmarks and will help stakeholders to evaluate the economic and social impacts that the lack of digital access may have on their communities.
• Planning – The guide will also help cities to set attainable and impactful goals for increasing digital access in their communities. Once specific goals are established, stakeholders will be able to refer to the guide to learn about the strategies that other communities have implemented, what has proven successful, and what factors contributed to the success. This information can support users of the guide in developing their own strategies.
• Implementation and Performance Management – The guide will help users to achieve successful implementation of their initiatives by highlighting common obstacles or challenges encountered during implementation by other communities. Users will also be able to refer to the guide for information on commonly used performance measures and strategies for managing program performance.
• Networking – The dynamic and interactive nature of the guide will allow users to connect directly with one another to share specific resources or discuss common challenges or opportunities in greater detail.
• National Dialogue – The guide will not only facilitate direct city-to-city communication in support of local objectives, but it will also promote a broader dialogue in which communities can think strategically about ways that leadership at the local level can help to address the digital divide nationwide.

How to Navigate the Resource Guide

The resource guide is organized by topic area, and each area contains recommended best practices, case examples, and/or links to useful information and resources.

How to Contribute to the Resource Guide

The wealth of information compiled in the chapters to follow is a product of the leadership and initiative of the six core cities. Continued communication and participation among this group and beyond this group will be key to the ongoing success of this effort. As such, the resource guide is made available in GitBook format. GitBook is an online platform for developing and sharing open-source publications. The collaborative GitBook format allows for readers to add questions, ideas, and resources that can be used to keep the document up-to-date and keep the dialogue on digital inclusion moving forward. Stakeholders can contribute to the resource guide by visiting [github web address].