In the Bronx, where the digital divide remains a challenge for many residents, public libraries are not just book repositories but true centers of support, education, and connection to the wider world. For tens of thousands of people, the library has become a place where they can not only borrow a book but also use the internet for free, get tech help, sign up for an educational program, or simply find support. Read on to learn about the role Bronx libraries play in fighting digital inequality on bronx-future.com.
The Bronx’s Digital Divide
In modern New York City, being offline is almost like living outside of society. Everything from education to medical services, from employment to accessing government programs, is connected to digital technology. However, in the Bronx, one of the city’s poorest boroughs, tens of thousands of people still lack the basic tools for life in the digital age: a computer and reliable internet access.
The problem of digital inequality in the Bronx has several factors. The main ones include:
- a lack of quality internet access;
- insufficient access to devices;
- low levels of digital literacy.
In each of these areas, the Bronx has the worst statistics among all of New York City’s boroughs. For example, more than 22% of Bronx households do not have broadband internet—that’s worse than in Queens (18%) and significantly worse than in Manhattan (12.5%). The problem worsened after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) was discontinued in 2024. At that time, nearly half of Bronx residents relied on this subsidy to help pay for internet service. When it ended, thousands of families were left unable to afford even basic services.
In many parts of the Bronx, a computer is not a common tool but a rarity. One out of every three households does not own a computer at all. In some neighborhoods, such as Melrose or Hunts Point, this figure reaches 35%. This means that these individuals cannot submit a resume, take an online course, or get a telehealth consultation.
Even those who have devices and connectivity often don’t know how to use them effectively. In local digital literacy programs, half of the new students had never touched a computer before their first class. The Bronx also lags behind in school education: only 11.5% of students take computer science courses. This is the lowest rate in the city.
The TechConnect Program: Purpose and Mission
Despite these challenges, pockets of digital progress are emerging in the Bronx. Local libraries are one such example. Through the TechConnect program, the NYPL is transforming ordinary libraries into digital development hubs that are free, accessible, and extremely relevant.
The program covers everything from the first steps in using a computer to learning coding, digital media, and future technologies. Classes are held both online and in person, in multiple languages and at various skill levels, from absolute beginners to confident users.
The goal is simple yet critically important: to help adults of all ages and backgrounds master the technologies that have become an integral part of daily life.
In the Bronx itself, there are two main TechConnect centers:
- The Bronx Library Center in Fordham Heights.
- The Parkchester Library.
Both locations have fully equipped computer labs open to everyone and a team of technical experts ready to provide hands-on assistance. Registration operates on a first-come, first-served basis and opens monthly on the last Friday at 1:00 PM.
TechConnect is more than just courses. It’s a chance for Bronx residents to feel confident in a constantly changing world. They can learn to use email, create a resume, ace an online interview, start an IT career, or even launch their own digital project.
Digital Skills You Can Gain at Bronx Libraries
The TechConnect program offers over 100 technology courses both online and offline, not only in the Bronx but also in Manhattan and Staten Island.
What exactly can you learn?
- Basic computer literacy:
- Fundamentals of using a computer (Windows and Mac).
- Working with iPads and iPhones.
- Typing and mouse skills.
- Online communication and safety:
- Internet basics.
- Creating and managing email.
- Protecting personal data in the online environment.
- Office and business skills:
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides).
- Apple Pages, Keynote, and Numbers basics.
- Resume formatting and job searching.
- LinkedIn and online applications.
- Advanced Excel courses (Excel Genius).
- Design and graphics:
- Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Canva — a quick start to graphic design.
- Procreate — digital drawing.
- UI/UX design with Figma.
- Programming and web development:
- Fundamentals of Python, HTML, CSS, JavaScript.
- SQL basics.
- Mobile app development with Swift.
- Frontend development — creating full-fledged websites in 12 weeks.
- Additional opportunities:
- Access to library’s digital resources (e-books, periodicals, media).
- Learning foreign languages with Mango Languages.
- Genealogical research with Ancestry Library.
- Special programs for people aged 50+.
- Device lending programs (Chromebooks).
The TechConnect programs are for anyone who wants to improve their digital skills from scratch or deepen existing ones, get a job or change careers, master office software or design tools, write code, or create a mobile application.
TechConnect is not just courses. It’s an entry into the digital world for everyone.
Community Engagement and Related Projects
In the 2024 fiscal year, Bronx libraries recorded more than 430,000 Wi-Fi sessions. This is more than just a number; it represents 430,000 instances of the library becoming a lifeline for those without home internet access.
But digital access is only part of the picture. NYPL librarians and staff know that to truly serve the community, they must venture beyond the library walls.
“We try to meet people where they are,” says Dr. Brandy McNeil, one of the library’s program directors.
With this in mind, the Neighborhood Tech Help initiative was created—a new program that brings technical assistance directly to residents of housing complexes and senior centers. This service is already active in the Bronx, with specialists helping with internet connectivity, device setup, and even teaching how to avoid online scams.
However, the library’s ideas are not limited to the digital space. One of the most inspiring solutions is the “Teen Reading Ambassadors” program. Imagine: one hundred high school students become paid mentors for younger students, helping them with homework, discussing books, and nurturing an interest in science and art. This is not just education. It’s the formation of a new generation of leaders who are learning and teaching others.
These ambassadors are part of a broader initiative, “Teens 360º”—a program that addresses the complexities modern youth face after the pandemic. From social isolation to learning gaps, all these challenges require a comprehensive approach. That’s why the library is opening renovated teen centers equipped with 3D printers, recording studios, and photo/video equipment—everything to give young people the tools for self-expression and future success.
The after-school program, NYPL After School, also deserves special attention. In the 2023-2024 school year, it already reached 50 branches in the most underserved neighborhoods. Here, children aged 6 to 12 receive free homework help, participate in creative workshops, reading clubs, and STEAM activities. All of this is done in an atmosphere of support and respect.
But behind every program are not just ideas, but real people and organizations. Thanks to the financial support of private donors like the Tisch family, Stavros Niarchos Foundation, Google.org, and others, the library can offer this wide range of free services. Most importantly, it’s the partnerships with local organizations like Sapna NYC that help bring these opportunities to those who need them most.
All of this is not just a collection of programs. It’s a living system of care, learning, and access that changes community life. In every branch, in every Wi-Fi connection, in every teen mentor, the main message of the New York Public Library shines through: education, support, and equality are for everyone, regardless of age, income, or address.
