The Shapiro Administration and the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) have announced a significant initiative to bridge the digital divide, with Berks County among the beneficiaries. The Literacy Council of Reading-Berks, Inc. will receive 100 laptops through the Digital Connectivity Technology Program, part of a statewide effort to distribute over 9,100 laptops to community institutions across Pennsylvania.
The program, designed to address digital inequities, focuses on providing essential technology to libraries, nonprofits, and other community organizations in areas where access to digital tools is limited due to affordability. The Literacy Council of Reading-Berks will ensure these laptops are available for residents who lack personal devices, enabling access to high-speed internet and crucial online resources for education, healthcare, and career advancement.
“This initiative is a step forward in ensuring that everyone in our community has the tools they need to succeed,” said PBDA Executive Director Brandon Carson. “By equipping organizations like the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks, we’re creating opportunities for better health, education, and economic outcomes for individuals across the Commonwealth.”
The laptops distributed in Berks County are part of a broader push by the Shapiro Administration to expand digital access statewide. Additional efforts include partnerships with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and PA CareerLink to offer no-cost online job skills training through the SkillUp PA platform. This program provides courses on digital skills, Microsoft Office, IT certifications, and more, helping residents build competitive resumes in an increasingly digital job market.
The Digital Connectivity Technology Program is funded by federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan Capital Projects Fund. In addition to the laptop distribution, Pennsylvania has secured over $1.4 billion in federal funding to expand broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas.
The Literacy Council of Reading-Berks will play a pivotal role in implementing the program locally, ensuring that residents of Berks County have access to the resources needed to participate fully in today’s digital society. A second round of laptop applications is expected to open in 2025.
For more information on this initiative and other efforts to close the digital divide, visit the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority’s website.
