MiLa: The Mobile Internet Lab
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Innovation Synopsis
MiLa, the Mobile Internet Lab, bridges the digital divide in Mecklenburg County by delivering broadband access, workforce development tools, and digital literacy
programming directly to underserved neighborhoods. Operating as Charlotte Mecklenburg Library’s first mobile tech lab, MiLa meets residents where they are—from senior centers and apartment complexes to community hubs—offering on-site learning stations, device access, and one-on-one support. This initiative transforms how libraries provide equitable access to opportunity, connecting adults and families to career resources, online learning, and community support systems without requiring transportation or prior digital skills.
Challenge/Opportunity
• Mecklenburg County has significant digital access inequities, especially in zip codes with limited broadband adoption and high unemployment rates.
• Residents facing barriers such as lack of internet access, limited digital literacy, or mobility challenges struggle to benefit from workforce development programs.
• The Library sought to create an inclusive, flexible model for workforce and digital literacy support outside traditional branches.
• Opportunity: to redefine Library outreach by integrating workforce readiness, digital literacy, and community connection into one mobile, tech-enabled platform.
Key Elements of Innovation
• Structure: A mobile technology lab equipped with Wi-Fi, laptops, and learning stations designed around Library databases and workforce tools.
• Implementation: Staffed by trained librarians and community partners, MiLa offers digital skill-building, résumé creation, language learning, and access to online job applications.
• Partnerships: Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation, Refugee Support Services, Catholic Charities, Digi-Bridge, and community organizations supporting veterans
and seniors.
• Uniqueness: First mobile unit in the Carolinas focused on digital equity and workforce mobility through Library-led outreach.
• Innovation: Moves beyond traditional Library spaces to deliver equitable economic opportunity through place-based, tech-powered engagement.
Achieved Outcomes
• Over 1,000 residents served since launch in May 2025 through workforce readiness programs, digital literacy sessions, and mobile outreach.
• Delivered 30+ community programs focused on digital literacy and workforce development, including teen résumé workshops, senior genealogy classes, digital
literacy basics, and employment skills sessions.
• Partnerships: MiLa collaborates with apartment complexes and community organizations to reach areas where residents may not have reliable broadband
access. Key partners include Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation, Refugee Support Services, Catholic Charities, Digi-Bridge, and multiple local groups
supporting veterans and seniors. These collaborations strengthen MiLa’s reach and ensure equitable access to technology, learning, and career resources across
Mecklenburg County.
• Participants report improved confidence in using technology, applying for jobs, and engaging in online learning.
• Feedback highlights MiLa’s convenience, cultural responsiveness, and ability to reach those previously disconnected from Library services.
• Expanded staff training for mobile facilitation and developed replicable best-practice models for other branches.
