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Millions
of Americans rely on library computers to do
research for school or work, to take
distance-learning classes, to find health
information, to communicate with family and
friends, and to keep up with current events. In
communities with lower incomes, libraries often
provide the only Internet access.
A
new grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation (the Foundation) will help
California’s disadvantaged communities by
providing opportunities to replace public access
computers in the state’s public libraries.
Called
the Public Access Computer Hardware Upgrade Grant
Program (PAC HUG), the grant will help
participating public libraries sustain free, high
quality access to computers and the Internet for
their customers by upgrading public library
computers that the Foundation previously granted
to California libraries in 2000.
The
California State Library Foundation will receive
the grant funds and manage the project, which will
enable library customers, regardless of age, race,
income, or geographic location, to have free
access to digital information by sustaining
current computing hardware platforms in California
libraries.
“Computer
and Internet access has become one of the key
services that are in demand,” said Susan
Hildreth, State Librarian of California. “It is
critical that we have the resources necessary to
sustain this service so that our libraries can
help California citizens access the information
they need to live engaged, successful lives.”
Follow-Up
to 2000 Gates Hardware Grant
In
2000, the Foundation gave 3,060 computers to
California public libraries. Due to technology
advances, upgrades to the software and hardware
now are required to ensure that all libraries are
able to sustain the initial investment in
connectivity for their customers.
The
PAC HUG grant will pay for those upgrades. The
grant involves over 115 eligible California
libraries covering 622 outlets and over 3000
public access workstations. Following the outline
of the original grant, large and small libraries
will have distinct programs to address their
unique needs.
“Libraries
deserve to have the necessary resources to provide
library patrons with efficient technology,” said
Martha Choe, director of the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation’s Global Libraries program.
“It is now important for libraries to receive
continued support from the community—government,
businesses, foundations, and citizens—to
maintain this technology and provide upgrades in
the future.”
Related
Grant Information
A
related grant from the Gates Foundation, Staying
Connected, whose funds are matched by the
California State Library, helps support technology
training and technical support for long-term
sustainability of public access computing. Staying
Connected’s goals include providing
documentation and objective recommendations on
support for public access computing that libraries
will be able to use in dialogues with governing
boards, local jurisdictions and the public at
large when discussing funding needs.
Large
libraries have already received grant application
materials and will be responding directly to the
Gates Foundation. Smaller libraries will be
contacted in October with information on how to
begin the application process and the timeline for
activities.
The
California State Library Foundation has played a
crucial role in acting as fiscal agent for the PAC
HUG as well as the Staying Connected grant
funds. State budgetary procedures all but preclude
private donations to the California State Library
directly so the participation of the California
State Library Foundation was essential in allowing
the California State Library to proceed with the
grant application process.
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