Ontario libraries receive $8.4 million grant to provide library patrons with increased Internet access from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

TORONTO, Ontario -- Ontario's goal of putting public Internet access into every public library in the province received welcome support today with the announcement by Citizenship, Culture and Recreation Minister Helen Johns of $8.4 million in grants and services from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for computers, Internet access and technical training in public libraries located in lower income areas of the province.

Separately, Microsoft Canada will donate software with a retail value of $3.2 million to libraries receiving Foundation grants.

"This impressive gift to Ontario libraries will build upon the important work that the province and its partners have already done under its Network 2000 Strategy toward building a province-wide library information network," said Johns at a news conference held at the Bloor/Gladstone Branch of the Toronto Public Library. "On behalf of the province, I want to thank Bill and Melinda Gates for their generosity. This gift will help us reach our goal that all Ontario citizens will have access to the latest information technologies through their public libraries."

The grant will fund 1,407 computer workstations in 376 libraries, will allow 104 libraries to upgrade their Internet access from "dial-up" to a dedicated connection, and will create two help desk stations and six training labs, including two mobile labs, to provide technical training to library staff and patrons.

"Bill and Melinda believe in bringing opportunity through technology and education to all people." said Foundation co-chair and president Patty Stonesifer. "We are pleased to support the efforts of so many wonderful librarians in Ontario to ensure that all people have the tools they need to learn and work in the 21st century."

The Foundation is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and partners with provincial, territorial and state public libraries throughout the United States and Canada to provide increased access to technology for libraries that serve low-income communities.

In addition to the ministry's annual operating grant program to support Ontario's public libraries, the ministry has contributed an additional $2.5 million over the last two years for new technologies. These commitments have helped to leverage support from the federal government and foster private-sector partnerships for Network 2000, a strategy to connect all Ontario public libraries to the information highway. The Ontario government has also increased its funding to libraries by $1 million annually to help support Internet connectivity at libraries across the province.