$7M From Gates Foundation for Library Broadband

by Chloe Albanesius

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have awarded nearly $7 million to two non-profit groups in an effort to improve broadband Internet access in public libraries.
The foundation will donate $6.1 million to Connected Nation, a non-profit Internet advocacy group, and about $852,000 to the American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP). The project will support improved Internet connections at libraries in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, and Virginia.
Each state will have to submit proposals that detail how they will support the increased cost and implementation of faster Internet connections. The foundation selected the states because they had high concentrations of public libraries with Internet speeds of less than 1.5 Mbps, public policy support for the project, and state library agencies that had taken steps to improve the quality of Internet service.
Connected Nation will use the funds to help each state host a broadband summit as well as organize public library leaders, state and local officials, and other stakeholders in order to support broadband access in libraries.
OITP will develop broadband penetration strategies and put together case studies demonstrating how public libraries can successfully sustain broadband for patrons.
"Libraries are often the best point of Internet access for people who otherwise could not afford access," Brian Mefford, chairman and CEO of Connected Nation, said in a statement. "It is imperative that state and local leaders recognize this important community service and commit to supporting local library efforts to ensure access to quality broadband."
"Public libraries not only can and should provide that access, they also act as catalysts for improving Internet service for entire communities," said ALA President Jim Rettig.
If the pilot program is a success, the foundation will expand to other states.
In November, the foundation said it would spend $3 billion on education initiatives in the next five years, in an effort to double the number of low-income young people who receive college degrees by age 26.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2337224,00.asp?kc=PCRSS03069TX1K0001121