Meet the woman who helped libraries across the U.S. 'surf the internet'

Jean Armour Polly, a former librarian, pioneered the introduction of computers in libraries during the early 1980s. Despite initial resistance, she foresaw the potential of technology for lifelong learners, adults, and seniors. By 1981, she had secured an Apple II Plus for the small library in Liverpool, N.Y., where she worked. This was one of the first libraries in the nation to offer public computing. By 1992, they were offering free internet to the public. Polly also popularized the term “surfing the internet” in 1992, and was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame in 2019 for her contributions.