St. Louis Library leaders, community members, and Bill Gates meet to dedicate new computer lab

ST. LOUIS -- Bill Gates, Microsoft Chairman & CEO and co-founder of the Gates Library Foundation, joined St. Louis Public Library Deputy Director Waller McGuire and Mayor Clarence Harmon to dedicate a new technology center at the Julia Davis Branch of the St. Louis Public Library. The event included a discussion with librarians, community members, and library users of all ages about the importance of access to digital information for everyone and the ways in which technology can be used in libraries to provide opportunities for all citizens.

The St. Louis Public Library system recently received a $175,000 grant from the Gates Library Foundation, which provided computers and technical assistance to create Neighborhood Computer Centers in five St. Louis Public Library locations. In addition to the one at Julia Davis, similar Centers will soon be located in the Central Library and the Baden, Carondelet, and Walnut Park branch libraries.

"By working with the St. Louis Public Library, we hope to expand access to computers and the Internet across the city," stated Gates. "My wife, Melinda, and I established the Foundation because we believe that everyone—regardless of age, income or education—should have access to knowledge and information. By training local librarians and providing needed resources throughout the city, we can make a world of information available to everyone."

Waller McGuire, Deputy Director of the St. Louis Public Library, said, "We are proud to partner with the Gates Library Foundation to bring improved technology and training to the St. Louis Public Library. This gift expands the resources at our libraries and helps put even more people on the information superhighway."

"Today's job market demands technical expertise," commented Mayor Clarence Harmon. "Computers also provide incredible access to information. This partnership between the St. Louis Public Library and the Gates Library Foundation will help equalize the access people have to the benefits of computers."