Through partnerships with public libraries, the U.S. Library program is increasing access to technology for residents in low-income and disadvantaged communities. The foundation is committed to ensuring that regardless of where someone lives in the United States or how much they earn, free access to the unprecedented benefits of digital information technology is available.

Investments in library computing have been an important factor in shrinking the gap between the digital “haves” and “have-nots.” Over the last five years, Internet use has increased in the United States for people regardless of income, education, age, race, ethnicity, or gender—today, the percentage of Internet users in rural areas is now almost even with the national average.

At the same time, much more work is necessary to ensure unfettered access to the information technology. The foundation currently works with library professionals, other funding sources, and experts on the digital divide, to explore how to sustain public access computing.

The foundation also has supported efforts to bring public access computers to libraries serving low-income communities in the United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, and Mexico.

HIGHLIGHTS

• U.S. Library Program. In 2002, the foundation installed 7,182 public access computers in 2,100 library buildings, bringing the total program number to 43,140 computers in 9,537 library buildings across 35 states.
• Public Access Computing Evaluation. Since the inception of the program, the Public Access Computing Project at the University of Washington has engaged in a multi-year study to assess the program’s effectiveness so that the foundation could continually improve design and implementation. Research from this study found that in 2002, libraries participating in the U.S. Library program reported an average increase of 36 percent in library traffic and an average 9 percent increase in book circulation.
• Sustainability. As the U.S. Library program nears the finish line, the foundation is focused on sustainability to ensure that the public access computers are maintained over time. The foundation produced a “Staying Connected” toolkit for library staff and volunteers to build community support and maintain their public access programs.
• Native American Access to Technology. In 2002, the foundation made connectivity grants to 12 Arizona tribes, 11 New Mexico tribes, two Utah tribes, and two Colorado tribes to help families access information and new opportunities, so that 161 Native American sites now have public access to the Internet.
• Mexico International Library Initiative. To help ensure that Mexico residents have no-cost access to computers and digital information, the foundation launched an initiative with the National Council for Culture and Arts (CONACULTA) to provide computers and Internet access, staff training, and technical support for libraries throughout the country.
• “BiblioRedes: Abre tu Mundo.” Chile’s “Open Your World” program does just that. In one year, the Directorate of Libraries, Archives, and Museums (DIBAM) connected 1,754 computers to the Internet in 368 libraries across the country, and facilitated training of over 8,000 library staff and volunteers in the community.