Gates Offers New Grant Program

Will help pay for hardware, bandwidth, training in U.S. public libraries

By Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 2/15/2007

Prior to the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting last month in Seattle, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a new five-year commitment to enhance computer and Internet services and training for U.S. public libraries serving low-income communities. Some 40 percent of Americans still lack home Internet access, and while nearly all public libraries in the country are wired, many have aging equipment, offer too little bandwidth, and lag in training.

“Unfortunately, libraries are themselves in danger of falling into a second digital divide because of inequities in computer and Internet quality,” said Allan Golston, president of the foundation's U. S. program.

In June 2005, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which had previously not planned to offer additional direct aid to libraries in the U.S. Libraries Initiative, said it would spend up to $30 million to replace aging computer hardware at some 2000 library systems in the first 18 states to get grants. Still, that left another 32 states and the District of Columbia with obsolete computers.

While the investment seems significant, foundation officials were unwilling to attach a price tag or even estimate a minimum amount. At the Midwinter Meeting, the foundation also distributed two advocacy aids: a booklet and DVD titled Keeping Your Community Connected. The documents make the case, based on examples from a variety of libraries, that technology is crucial to public libraries, and libraries need more support in closing “the second digital divide” of ready and fast Internet access.

Three-pronged plan

Aiming to increase the percentage of libraries that regularly upgrade their computers—some half of all public libraries are struggling—the foundation will provide matching grants for upgrades when libraries get dedicated local funding. The focus will be on 30 percent of all libraries—those serving communities where ten percent or more of the population live in poverty and which may see their computer and Internet services become obsolete.

Given that 45 percent of public libraries need increased bandwidth, foundation grants will help libraries plan for connectivity upgrades. Also, the foundation will “invest in efforts to provide nationwide training resources and technical support.” Further, the foundation will offer grants for advocacy preparation for library staff and research demonstrating the positive benefits of technology to library users.

The Gates Foundation has invested some $325 million—including an initial $250 million for hardware and training—to support access to computers and the Internet in U.S. public libraries.