Public Libraries and Broadband Access

U.S. Library Initiative in Arkansas/Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

From Opportunity Online Grant Broadband Grant

"For people who rely on the public library as their main point of access to online information and

opportunities, broadband Internet at the library is an open door to opportunity.

That’s why the foundation is piloting a grant program in seven states to help improve and sustain high speed Internet access in local libraries. The program will start with a rigorous state‐level planning period, with grants to follow in late 2009. State libraries can use those grants to implement broadband improvement and sustainability plans they develop.  The goal of the pilot Opportunity Online broadband grant program is to help states create and implement strategies that will increase public library Internet connections to at least 1.5 Mbps, or faster wherever feasible, and continuously improve connection speeds as communities’ needs grow.

Pilot Program Eligibility

The pilot program will help Arkansas, California, Kansas, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, and Virginia upgrade local branches to broadband Internet (a minimum of 1.5 Mbps) so that more people can access opportunity online. These pilot states were selected by the foundation based on the following criteria:

• Low Connectivity Levels: The state has a high number of public libraries with Internet speeds of

less than 1.5 Mbps.

• Public Will: Strong public policy support to increase broadband in public libraries exists within the

state.

• Awareness and Action: The state library agency has taken steps to increase and sustain quality

connectivity in the state and is well‐positioned to manage the pilot grant program."

Public Library Directory

 

 

Arkansas Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Arkansas

Connect Arkansas