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</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Cover image of Oregon Broadband Office Draft State of Oregon Digital Equity Plan
" href="https://www.oregon.gov/biz/Publications/Broadband/Oregon_Digital_Equity_Plan_Draft.pdf" style='position:absolute;margin-left:0;margin-top:0;width:230.1pt;height:297.75pt;z-index:251658240;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text' o:button="t">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><a href="https://www.oregon.gov/biz/Publications/Broadband/Oregon_Digital_Equity_Plan_Draft.pdf"><img border="0" width="307" height="397" style="width:3.1979in;height:4.1354in" src="cid:image002.jpg@01DA0E5B.C68811F0" align="left" hspace="12" alt="Cover image of Oregon Broadband Office Draft State of Oregon Digital Equity Plan
" title="" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"></a><![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="https://www.oregon.gov/biz/programs/oregon_broadband_office/pages/default.aspx">
Oregon Broadband Office</a> recently released a draft of the <a href="https://www.oregon.gov/biz/Publications/Broadband/Oregon_Digital_Equity_Plan_Draft.pdf">
State of Oregon Digital Equity Plan</a> for public comment. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">This plan outlines how Oregon will use federal funds to provide reliable, affordable, high-speed internet, computing devices, and digital skills training to help close the digital divide.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Libraries are featured in sections of the plan that address barriers to low cost internet services and devices and building digital literacy skills, with an indication that funding will be available to help support library initiatives to
address these barriers. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Please consider <a href="https://biznews.oregon.gov/acton/fs/blocks/showLandingPage/a/14786/p/p-00ed/t/page/fm/0">
submitting comments</a> on the plan. Your feedback will help to assure libraries are given recognition for the work already being done to promote digital equity in local communities and that they are fully included in implementation strategies to address ongoing
barriers in the state. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Comments are due by <b>December 16, 2023</b><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I am happy to help answer any questions about the report or the comment process. Please reach out!<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none">Arlene Weible, MLS (she/her/hers)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ligatures:none">Electronic Services Consultant</span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ligatures:none">Oregon Federal Regional Depository Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ligatures:none">State Library of Oregon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;color:#2E74B5;mso-ligatures:none"><a href="mailto:arlene.weible@slo.oregon.gov"><span style="color:#0563C1">arlene.weible@slo.oregon.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-ligatures:none">
<b>|</b> 503-378-5020 <b>|</b><span style="color:#2E74B5"> <a href="http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries">
<span style="color:#0563C1">http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries</span></a></span><u><span style="color:#0563C1"><o:p></o:p></span></u></span></p>
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