Public Information and Communication
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 21, 2009
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Rod Wagner
402-471-4001
800-307-2665
OR
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
206-709-3400
media@gatesfoundation.org
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Announces New Support for Public
Libraries to Help Provide Broadband Access for More Americans
Foundation will fund state-level efforts to improve Internet connections
in libraries, and to apply for federal broadband stimulus funds.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced partnerships with
fourteen states, including Nebraska, to help libraries compete for federal
broadband stimulus funds. States participating in the foundation's
Opportunity Online broadband grant program will receive technical and
consulting assistance to develop competitive funding proposals for federal
funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, established through the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. NTIA's Broadband Technology
Opportunities Program (BTOP) is expected to award federal stimulus grants to
private and public sector applicants starting in early 2010 to expand
broadband infrastructure to more communities across the country and to help
new Internet users benefit from broadband access. Contingent on the Nebraska
Library Commission receiving funding for a successful grant proposal,
Nebraska will receive federally-required matching funds from the Gates
Foundation. Participating states will also receive assistance to help secure
additional federal E-rate funding to sustain broadband connection costs in
the future.
The foundation solicited letters of interest for the Opportunity Online
broadband program from the Nebraska Library Commission and other state
library agencies seeking to acquire significant additional broadband access
for libraries in their respective states. The foundation chose to support
states that articulated the most compelling and feasible projects aligned
with the objectives of the BTOP program. The foundation also considered a
state's need for assistance in developing a competitive BTOP proposal.
"There is growing need for expanded broadband access and services in
Nebraska libraries," said Rod Wagner, director of the Nebraska Library
Commission, which will partner with the foundation to apply for BTOP funds.
"It is critical that broadband access extend to Nebraska libraries to
support their role as vital community technology hubs."
Nearly 40 percent of Americans, often those with lower incomes and lower
levels of education, still don't have high-speed Internet access at home. In
most communities (70 percent), the public library is the only provider of
free Internet access available to residents.
In addition to Nebraska, the fourteen partner states include Alaska,
Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, North Carolina, New
Jersey, Oklahoma, Utah, Vermont, and Washington. The Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation also committed nearly $3.4 million in grants to improve and
maintain Internet connections in local libraries in five states: Arkansas
($735,207), Kansas ($363,099), Massachusetts ($367,789), New York
($947,517), and Virginia ($977,468).
Nationally, libraries report that customer demand for high-speed Internet
access is growing faster than their ability to provide increased bandwidth.
A recent
American Library Association study reports that 60 percent of all
libraries say their current Internet speed is insufficient. "Federal, state,
and local government investments in connecting libraries to broadband are
important steps toward realizing the vision of universal broadband access,"
said Jill Nishi, deputy director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's
U.S. Libraries program. "When libraries have access to broadband, they can
effectively deliver critical educational, employment, and government
services for residents that lack Internet access elsewhere. As community
anchor institutions, libraries can also help drive local broadband
adoption."
The foundation has invested $350 million in grants and support to install
and sustain computers in libraries and train thousands of library staff in
all 50 states and U.S. territories. The foundation continues to support
libraries through investments in programs, research, advocacy training, and
public awareness efforts that will help libraries sustain high-quality
online access for patrons in partnership with their communities. For more
information, visit:
www.gatesfoundation.org/libraries.
For downloadable high-resolution photos, please visit:
www.gatesfoundation.org/press-room/Pages/news-market.aspx.
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About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every
life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all
people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses
on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves
out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure
that all people-especially those with the fewest resources-have access to
the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle,
Washington the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H.
Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.
Learn more at
www.gatesfoundation.org or join the conversation at
Facebook and Twitter.
About the Nebraska Library Commission
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 Nebraska Library
Commission will partner with the Gates Foundation for the Opportunity Online
broadband grant program on behalf of Nebraska libraries.
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The most
up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always
available on the Library Commission Website,
nlc.nebraska.gov, search on News Releases.