First Round of Broadband Stimulus Funds Announced, Three Awards to Libraries
Major focus, however, is building connections, with grants to networks
Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 12/23/2009
- More grants announced over 75 days
- Boston Public Library, state libraries in AZ, NM get grants
- Big focus on extending connections; one "Middle Mile" award includes libraries
The first of many broadband stimulus funds awards have been announced, and libraries are among the earliest grantees, though a relatively small percentage thereof.
Of the $7.2 billion in Recovery Act broadband grant and loan programs, $2 billion will be made available on a rolling basis over the next 75 days; the first allotments come in four categories. Only two of the categories—the ones with significantly less funding—involve libraries. Grants in the first two categories went mainly to phone companies and Internet network companies, though one includes libraries:
Middle Mile Awards – $121.6 million to build and improve connections to communities lacking sufficient broadband access.
Last Mile Awards – $51.4 million to connect end users like homes, hospitals and schools to their community’s broadband infrastructure (the middle mile).
Public Computing – $7.3 million to expand computer center capacity for public use in libraries, community colleges and other public venues.
Sustainable Adoption – $2.4 million to fund innovative projects that promote broadband demand with population groups where the technology has traditionally been underutilized.
Expect more such grants to be announced in the coming weeks, with more libraries to be named. Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association's (ALA) Washington Office, indicated that ALA won’t comment until a more complete picture emerges.
Public Computer Center awards
Among four such awards, made through the Department of Commerce, are two to libraries.
The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records got $1.3 million grant (match: $320,000) to enhance existing facilities in more than 80 public libraries throughout the state. More than 1000 computers will be added.
The city of Boston got a $1.9 million grant (match: $477,000) to expand computer and Internet capacity at the Boston Public Library (BPL) and its 25 branches, plus at 16 community centers and 11 public housing sites.
BPL will get about one quarter of the grant, using $455,000 to expand public computing capacity—with new laptop computers, workstations, projectors and digital whiteboards—and to offer technology training in English and Spanish. BPL will work with the other city departments to cross-train staff and cross-promote class schedules and curricula. BPL expects to purchase and install 282 new computers in dedicated training rooms and mobile tech classrooms. City-wide, the grant is expected to increase total computer availability by 70 percent, BPL said.
Sustainable Broadband Adoption award
One of two such awards, made through the Department of Commerce, went to a library.
The New Mexico State Library will get a $1.5 million grant (match: $591,000) to increase broadband adoption and promote computer literacy and Internet use among vulnerable populations, including Hispanic and Native American users, small businesses, and entrepreneurs through training and outreach.
“Today’s announcement is an important step toward establishing greater awareness of the benefits of increased broadband access in New Mexico,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “Expansion of high-speed Internet service, especially in rural New Mexico, can be a tremendous boost for economic development, as businesses are able to reach new markets. Also, greater broadband access can offer new educational resources for students and schools, and lead to improvements in healthcare delivery.”A Middle Mile award includes libraries
Among four Middle Mile awards, one includes libraries in three states.
ION Hold Co., LLC, gained a $39.7 million grant (match: $9.9 million) to build 10 new segments of fiber-optic, middle mile broadband infrastructure, serving more than 70 rural communities in upstate New York and parts of Pennsylvania and Vermont. The 1,308-mile network will offer broadband speeds of one to 10 Gbps to serve more than 300 community institutions and immediately connect more than 100, including libraries, state and community colleges, state and county agencies, and health clinics.
Contact the author: noder@reedbusiness.com
