Gates Foundation Participation and Related Activities
The Nebraska Library Commission has participated in a number of grant activities
funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation U.S. Library Program. In
2003 public libraries that serve communities with more than ten per cent of the
population below the poverty level were recipients of new computers, software
and technical support. In 2004 and 2005 libraries benefited from
additional grants to provide technology training in the form of in-person
workshops and online classes. In 2006 the Gates Rural Sustainability
grants provided workshops for public library staff and trustees in communities
of 25,000 and under to help empower them to meet the challenges and sustain
their public access computer programs. In 2007 technology-related training
sessions were provided as a result of a Gates Foundation Staying Connected
Training grant. Nebraska is once again a participant in a Gates Foundation
grant program in 2009 to enable public libraries meeting certain requirements
the opportunity to obtain hardware and software for public access computing
through matching grants. In 2010 the Foundation provided support and the
matching funds needed for a public computer center project grant awarded by the
U.S. Department of Commerce.
The following offer some historical information on various awards received from
the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation U.S. Library Program grants:
For more information on Gates Foundation awards and programs through the
Nebraska Library Commission please contact
Devra Dragos,
Technology & Access Services Director.