Medford, Oregon (February 20, 2025) – Jackson County Library Services Library Director Kari May has been appointed by the Governor’s Office to the State of Oregon’s Broadband Advisory Council. The OBAC’s duties include advising the Oregon Broadband Office on the sustainability of Oregon’s broadband infrastructure, assisting in developing ideas to streamline deployment of broadband infrastructure toward achieving state goals, reviewing and updating state goals regarding broadband service speeds, advising the Oregon Broadband Office on best practices, and more.
The group was created during the 2009 Legislative session. Thirteen years later, its composition and duties were modified with the passage and ratification of House Bill 4092, intended to prepare for a for a historic federal broadband investment – according to Oregon.gov.
“We know that libraries in Oregon are often the only free source of high-speed Internet in their communities, and as one of the few spaces that offer both learning support and devices for use, libraries are at the intersection of digital equity and digital literacy. It’s incredibly valuable to have a librarian’s perspective and first-hand knowledge on broadband access represent the needs of Oregonians on the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council,” said Oregon State Librarian, Wendy Cornelisen. May’s term began this month and will last until December 2028. She represents education and libraries with her seat on the Council.
May has been Jackson County Library Services’ Library Director for the last 7 years, where all 15 JCLS branches provide vital high-speed internet access to help each community thrive. She has 25 years of experience working in libraries in Colorado, Utah, and Oregon. May has been active in championing the role that libraries play as community anchor institutions, often one of the few public spaces in a community where high-speed internet access may be available. She is an active member of the Oregon Library Association’s Legislative Committee and is also a member of the Oregon Broadband Equity Coalition, a statewide group of various stakeholders working together to promote access to broadband with the necessary tools and skills to be proficient and safe. May looks for ways that schools and libraries can partner with other community organizations to help bridge the digital divide and build digital literacy skills.