Library and Information Commission to receive multi-million dollar gift from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

LONDON -- The Library and Information Commission (LIC) announced today a gift of over $4 million (£2.5 million) from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for the provision of information technology learning centres in public libraries in some of the most deprived communities in the country. The gift will be managed by the Library & Information Commission's Chief Network Adviser Chris Batt, and implementation and roll-out will be timed to coincide with the completion of the People's Network in 2002.

Under the plan, 47 central and regional libraries will each be given 11 public access computers, with supporting infrastructure made freely available for library patrons to develop their information and communication technology skills. A further 322 community libraries will receive two computers and associated equipment to provide similar facilities, and the finished project represents the outcome of over a year's detailed planning in which the LIC and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have worked closely together.

Said Matthew Evans, Chair of the Library and Information Commission, "This is a fantastic chance for those communities most in need of support to prepare for the Information Age to get 'fast track' help. The revolution in access to information and ideas that networking and the Internet are creating must be available to everyone within the community, and this generous donation will speed on the Government's explicit policy to connect all public libraries to the Information Superhighway by the end of 2002 . Thanks to this gift, we will be creating a genuine People's Network in places where it really matters."

Richard Akeroyd, Executive Director of the Gates Library Initiative, a program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, responded, "We have already been able to help needy communities in United States and Canada by providing hardware, software and training to nearly 2300 public libraries. We still have a lot of work to do, but have already seen the myriad of ways that people, who otherwise would not have access to computers, can improve their lives through access in the public library. We are delighted to be partnering with the Library and Information Commission in their effort to ensure that anyone, regardless of income, age, race, or education level have access to the power of technology."

Note for Editors

The Library & Information Commission was established in 1995 to be a national focus of expertise in the field of library and information services. Its core objectives are to provide a single, coherent and efficient source of advice to Government on all issues in the field, to draw its attention to emerging trends and suggest appropriate responses to them, and to provide all advice on the basis of as full a process of consultation as possible. In April 1999 it substantially expanded its research role by assuming responsibility for the research commissioning and funding activities formerly carried out by the British Library. It is due to be absorbed no later than 1 April 2000 into the new Museums, Libraries & Archives Council, under the continuing Chairmanship of Matthew Evans.

Further information on the LIC and the People's Network can be found on its web site: www.lic.gov.uk.