Hardware Grants

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is sponsoring a hardware grant program for public libraries called the Opportunity Online Hardware Grant.  The State Library is administering the grant for the Gates Foundation.

Requirements

Eligible libraries were identified by the Gates Foundation.  To remain eligible for the grant each eligible library must:

• By September 30, 2008, purchase and install your computer(s).
  
• By November 7, 2008, complete the Public Library Internet Survey also known as the "National Survey of Public Library Funding and Technology Access."
• By November 30, 2008, run the TechAtlas update.  You are invited to attend a free TechAtlas webinar.
  

The grants are designed to:

• Improve public access to computers and the Internet by providing hardware upgrades to libraries 
• Increase the percentage of libraries regularly upgrading their computers
• Motivate local governments to commit local funding to library computer services

An information session about the grant for eligible libraries was held on November 16, 2007.  To request a DVD copy of the program, e-mail Rinda Kramme and ask for DVD44