Oakland Public Library Opens New
Library Public Computer Center
Library Broadband
Builds Nebraska Communities
What: Oakland Public Library Open
House
When: Saturday May 25th,
2013 1:30 to 3:30 pm.
Where: Oakland Public Library, 110 East
3rd St.
Who:
Local Contact: Rosa Schmidt, Library Director
Phone: 402-685-5113
Email: books@oakland-library.org
Local Program
Partner: Skywave
Wireless Inc.
State Library
Commission Contact:
Mary Jo Ryan, 402-471-3434, 402-440-9733 (cel), maryjo.ryan@nebraska.gov
Why:
The
Oakland Public Library recently received 9 new computers through the Library Broadband Builds Nebraska
Communities project. The computers are installed and ready for use by the
public. The computers can be used free of charge to access court records, find
health information, take advantage of educational opportunities, hunt for jobs,
explore small business options, etc. The computers, software, and furnishings
are valued at $51,055.86 (see attached Value Sheet for details).
Background:
The
U.S. Department of Commerce awarded the Library Commission a $2,416,403 grant
to fund Nebraska’s public computer center project, Library Broadband Builds Nebraska
Communities. The three-year project is designed to expand broadband
capacity; upgrade public computing resources in libraries; and advance access
to employment, learning, health information, and E-Government services. The
Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), funded
by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), provides funding to
expand broadband access and adoption in communities across the U.S. In addition
to the federal grant, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will provide
$1,251,786 in matching funds, including a grant and technical assistance to
support the project. The total project budget is $3,668,189.
Providing
fast Internet service in Nebraska’s rural areas remains a challenge, but the Nebraska
Library Commission is working with local libraries and a variety of partners to
make the technology and educational programming available in more places across
the state, as it launches this $3.6 million, three-year program to better equip
library public computer centers in 147 library buildings across Nebraska.
“The
broadband technology grant presents an unprecedented opportunity for many
Nebraska public libraries to upgrade their public computing capacity for
serving community residents,” said Rod Wagner, Nebraska Library Commission
Director. “Technology enhancements will result in measurable increases in use
of library computers for E-Government, learning, employment information, and
more. The ultimate benefit goes to the many Nebraskans who will have greater
access to library computers and high-speed connectivity networks for personal,
education, and job-related needs.”
The
project is designed to upgrade public computing resources in libraries, expand
broadband capacity, and advance access to employment, learning, health
information, and E-Government services. The grant funding allows the Nebraska
Library Commission to partner with critical education, business, health, and
E-Government resources to ensure that Nebraskans across the state can benefit
from enhanced technological capabilities in our local communities. Training
programs will be provided by key project partners - such as Central Community College, Nebraska Department of Labor, Nebraska
Court Administrator's Office, Nebraska
Community Foundation, Center for Rural
Affairs, Center for Rural
Entrepreneurship, University of
Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, University
of Nebraska Medical Center, McGoogan Library of Medicine, and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine.
Library computer center locations will serve as the delivery platform for these
programs, providing Nebraskans with access to audio and video webinar content
and interactive computer-based training.
About the Nebraska Library Commission
As Nebraska’s state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services—“bringing together people and information.” The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission website, nlc.nebraska.gov (search on News Releases).
As Nebraska’s state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services—“bringing together people and information.” The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission website, nlc.nebraska.gov (search on News Releases).
About the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act
The
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided the Department of Commerce’s
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) with $7.2 billion to
expand access to broadband services in the United States. Of those funds, the
Act provided $4.7 billion to NTIA to support the deployment of broadband
infrastructure, enhance and expand public computer centers, encourage
sustainable adoption of broadband service, and develop and maintain a
nationwide public map of broadband service capability and availability.
About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. Learn more at www.gatesfoundation.org or join the conversation at Facebook and Twitter.
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett. Learn more at www.gatesfoundation.org or join the conversation at Facebook and Twitter.
