News You Can Use

Today, the Internet is a portal to vital information of all kinds. But almost 40 percent of Americans, often those with lower incomes and lower levels of education, still don’t have online access at home. For many of these people, their public library is the place to get connected. Today, millions of Americans use computers and the Internet at public libraries to find jobs, earn long‐distance learning degrees, start and grow small businesses, learn English, get e‐government information, and more. In fact, 70 percent of people who use computers and the Internet at libraries say it is their primary source of access to these technology tools.

In order to support public libraries serving patron needs, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is working with states on the Opportunity Online broadband grant program. To learn more about the grant program, click here.

Labels: grant program, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation