Access to information helps people change their lives. Connecting libraries to the Internet can open up a world of information and opportunities for people, allowing them to search for jobs, conduct research for school or work, use government services, and connect with family and friends. But there is a digital divide: approximately 5 billion people worldwide—most of them in developing countries—don’t have access to the Internet.
Our Priorities in Global Libraries
Since the foundation’s inception, one of our priorities has been to help public libraries provide people with free access to computers and the Internet. In the United States, we helped ensure that every public library was connected to the Internet. In other countries, our Global Libraries initiative partners with countries that demonstrate both a need and readiness to start and sustain nationwide online access programs through public libraries. Our support helps identify local needs, provide up-to-date equipment, train librarians to use technology, and help partners build sustainable programs. Microsoft, a partner of the Global Libraries program, donates software to partners who request it, and has made more than $40 million in software donations to date.
Read more about our work in Global Libraries >
Our Work in Action
One of our current Global Libraries projects has created opportunities for individuals and communities in Latvia:
Watch the video > |
Latvia: Strong Libraries, Strong CommunitiesIn Latvia, a partnership to connect public libraries to the Internet is revitalizing libraries and enabling people to improve their lives in many ways. See how computers, the Internet, and training are helping build strong communities, businesses, and learning environments for Latvia and its people. |
New Global Libraries Grants
Romania
In Romania, only 20 percent of the population has access to the Internet. A five-year, $26.9 million grant from the foundation to the International Resources and Exchanges Board, a nonprofit organization, will help launch Biblionet, a nationwide effort to install computers and provide Internet access in over 1,500 libraries and to train more than 2,500 librarians. Biblionet will also encourage the Romanian government to increase its commitment to libraries. The grant follows a year-long pilot program.
Poland
The Library Development Program is a new effort to help transform Poland’s rural libraries into vibrant centers of opportunity. The program, led by the Polish American Freedom Foundation, is supported by a five-year, $28 million grant from the foundation. The Library Development Program, which will be implemented in close partnership with many Polish ministries, aims to bring computers and the Internet to approximately 3,350 libraries. It will also provide training to thousands of librarians, create partnerships among national and local library organizations, and build partnerships between libraries, businesses, and nongovernmental organizations. This grant also follows a successful pilot program.
Vietnam
Two 18-month foundation grants will help pilot a public access effort aimed at expanding Internet access for farmers, youth, and other rural residents of Vietnam. A $2.1 million grant to the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) will help establish 99 Internet access sites in public libraries and cultural post offices. A second grant of $400,000 to The Asia Foundation (TAF) will help TAF work alongside the MIC to train 360 staff to provide support at these centers and to perform community outreach. Together, these grants will assist the partners in learning more about how public Internet access can help Vietnam’s residents improve their lives.