Public Information and Communication
For Immediate Release
February 2, 2005
Contact:
Mary Jo Ryan
402-471-3434, 800-307-2665
Nebraska Library Commission Awarded Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
"Staying
Connected" Grant
The Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation recently awarded $250,960 to the Nebraska Library Commission,
supporting efforts to help libraries sustain and improve the quality of public
access computing and access to the Internet in Nebraska public libraries. The
Gates Foundation will match every dollar of federal, state, and local funds with
two dollars. This funding will help public libraries across Nebraska improve
technology training for library staff and customers, upgrade to faster Internet
connections, and increase access to technical support. Additionally, the Gates
Foundation has determined that libraries in three communities in Nebraska (House
Memorial Library (Pender), Lynch Public Library, and Walthill Public Library)
will receive computer upgrades. These communities were selected by the Gates
Foundation using Foundation methodology to determine poverty levels.
"We are dedicated to supporting
local libraries in their efforts to provide the latest in computer technology to
their customers, helping open up the world of information for citizens of all
ages," Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner said. This partnership
supports public access computing efforts in public libraries by assisting the
Nebraska Library Commission with capacity building for developing and
maintaining long-term sustainability in public libraries. It builds on previous
Gates Foundation support received in 2001. The extremely favorable experience of
Nebraska libraries during the previous partnership with the Gates Foundation is
illustrated by the following comments:
"The addition of two computers
purchased by the Gates Foundation grant, allowed the library to create a
computer center for improved public access. The grant also allowed for us to
subscribe to a wireless Internet service..."-Broken Bow Public Library
"The most significant change in
our library in the past year is the addition of the two Gates Foundation Grant
computers... the Gates computers have generated a lot of interest from
non-library users..."-Dvoracek Memorial Library in Wilber
"The major success for this past
year was the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant... brought more library
traffic, as the patrons who want to use the computers also check out our
collection while they are here."-Grant County Library in Hyannis
"Public libraries are bridging the digital divide across
the country, providing high-quality computer and Internet access, training
opportunities, and technology tools that help people learn, explore, and
create," said Martha Choe, director of the Foundation's Global Libraries
program. "Although libraries are connected now to the Internet, it will take all
of us-state and local governments, businesses, nonprofits, foundations, and
other library supporters-to ensure libraries stay connected."
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As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library
Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all
Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion,
development, and coordination of library and information services, bringing
together people and information. The most up-to-date news releases from the
Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission home
page,
nlc.nebraska.gov, search on Library Commission News Releases.