Michigan Libraries receive grant totaling more than $4.8 Million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State Librarian Christie Pearson Brandau recently announced grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation totaling more than $4.8 million to 220 Michigan library systems and 11 Michigan library computer laboratories. The purpose of the grants is to increase public access to computers and the Internet.

The grants are part of the Foundation's Library Program, which is dedicated to partnering with public libraries to bring access to computers, the Internet, and digital information for patrons in low-income communities throughout the United States and Canada.

"The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation chose public libraries as a focus of their giving because they are a familiar community resource, and many citizens already make trips to the library as part of their daily lives," said State Librarian Brandau. "Michigan libraries also have a long history of serving all people and providing diverse opportunities for lifelong learning."

Nationally, a total of four rounds of funding will occur through 2003—the first round of grants went to libraries in seven states. Michigan and 11 other states make up the second round of funding, which began in 1999 and will continue through 2001.

The Foundation applied four eligibility standards to determine which libraries would receive cash grants to purchase computers, Internet access and training. Separately, Microsoft Corporation will donate software to all libraries receiving Foundation grants.
The eligibility requirements are:

1) The library building must be within a state that has been accepted for a State Partnership Grant Program
2) The library building must be a public library recognized by the state library agency as a public library
3) The library building must serve an area of greater than 10 percent poverty based on U.S. Census Department data from 1990. Libraries serving communities where less than 10 percent are below the poverty level can purchase computers at a discounted rate.
4) The library building must not have not previously received a Foundation grant.

"These grants provide many opportunities for Michigan's public libraries, such as the first public access workstation to the Internet for some libraries and additional access to digital information for others," said Janet Laverty, the director of Business Services for the Library of Michigan and manager of the application process for Michigan public libraries.

An additional component of the Foundation's Library Program is the provision for upgrading Internet connections at local libraries. Some libraries will increase their connection speed by upgrading dial-up access to the Internet to direct digital access.

"We are excited to have Michigan libraries involved in this program which will benefit library patrons statewide by providing increased access to knowledge and information," said Tom Mayer, the U.S. Library Program Manager for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "We want to thank the Library of Michigan and all the public libraries in the state for their enthusiasm in the effort to expand public access to information technologies."

The Library of Michigan is a nationally recognized, visible, electronic and traditional library and leadership development center that serves as a vital information resource to the legislature, state government and citizens of Michigan. The Library provides primary reference and research services to the state legislature and other government agencies. Library staff administer aid to public libraries and federal aid for all types of libraries. The Library of Michigan serves as one of two regional libraries for the federal documents depository program. It also features outstanding collections of Michigan history and genealogy, and is one of the state's two regional libraries that provide services to the blind and physically handicapped. The Library of Michigan Web site is located at www.michigan.gov/hal. The Library of Michigan is located at 717 West Allegan Street in Lansing, Michigan, in the Michigan Library and Historical Center.