NWT Public Libraries receive $323,000 from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

HAY RIVER, Northwest Territories -- Public Libraries in the Northwest Territories will receive a $323,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Jake Ootes, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment announced today in Hay River.

The grant will fund computers and Internet access in NWT public libraries, as well as virtual libraries in communities not currently served by the NWT library system. Separately, Microsoft Canada will donate software with a retail value of $92,000 to all libraries receiving Foundation grants.

"The ability to access new information quickly is a necessary skill in today's wired world," Mr. Ootes said. "This announcement means that not only are we one step closer to providing a range of library services for all NWT residents, regardless of where they live, it also means we are developing the capacity in NWT communities to learn computer skills and to pass on that training to others."

The nine existing NWT public libraries will receive computer workstations. Six additional communities will also benefit from the grant as virtual libraries with full Internet access and computer technology will be created. A mobile training lab, training for library staff, upgraded hardware to improve Internet access, and one help desk station are included in the gift.

"NWT Library Services is leading the way to providing increased access to all people. The creation and development of virtual libraries will mean that even without a physical library building, citizens of NWT can now benefit from library services and the power of the Internet," said Carol Erickson, International Library Programs Manager for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "It is the Foundation's hope that this program may be used as a model to reach people worldwide."

The communities in which virtual libraries are established will have public access to the World Wide Web, including the NWT Library Services web page. This will mean access to the borrow-by-mail program currently offered by NWT Library Services, inter-library loans throughout Canada, full-text material on-line, plus other research and resource material. Training will develop expertise at the community level that will ensure service for library clients. NWT Library Services will work with the communities to create a virtual library with the range of services that best suits the community.

The grant is a part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Library Program whose mission is to provide increased access to technology for libraries serving low-income communities throughout the United States and Canada.

In a July 1999 study of Internet use by households, Statistics Canada noted that although computer use has increased nationwide, there is a wage gap between those with access to technology and the Internet and those without access. Individuals in the highest-income households are nearly five times more likely to use computer communications than those individuals in the lowest-income households.

"This impressive gift means that both the goals of NWT Libraries to enhance service and that of the foundation to increase access to technology are met," Mr. Ootes said. "More than that, the training components turn this gift into an investment from which all NWT residents will benefit. This gift supports the commitment of the 14th Assembly to work towards a vision of self-reliant, well educated Northerners."

Installation of the virtual libraries in Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic, Fort Good Hope, Fort Liard, Rae-Edzo and Lutsel K'e will begin in September and will be completed before Christmas.