Iowa Public Libraries and the Gates Staying Connected Grant

As announced in December, the State Library of Iowa has been awarded a $749,000 “Staying Connected” grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s U.S. Library Program to sustain and expand public access computing in Iowa’s public libraries.  The State Library will implement the grant over a three year period – 2005 through 2007.

What will the grant do for Iowa public libraries?  Through the grant, public libraries will receive:

• Web hosting Service – Each public library will be able to have its own website.  The web sites will be preloaded with a variety of local content specific to each library, including links to local catalogs, location, hours, contacts, and trustees.   Library customers will also have access to state-wide resources, such as FirstSearch and EBSCOHost databases, through their local library’s web site.  As library staff members are trained and become comfortable with their library’s website, they will be able to add their own content.  This means if your library was planning to develop its own website in the next year or two, you may want to wait and take advantage of this web hosting service beginning approximately July 2006.
• E-mail Hosting Service – Regardless of the Internet Service Provider, each public library will be able to have consistent and stable email addresses making it easier to communicate with customers.  In other words, when a library changes Internet Service Providers, the library’s email address will remain the same.
• Technical Support – A full time computer / technical support person will be available to public libraries by phone and email for the three year period of the grant.
• Training – Sample topics will include Getting Your Website Started, Customizing Your Website, Supporting E-Mail at Your Library, Basic and Advanced Computer Troubleshooting.
• Internet Connectivity Grants - Grants will be available to the approximately 148 public libraries that are not connected to a high-speed Internet service provider and wish to do so. To be eligible, the library must apply for the grant and have at least one public access computer.  The grants will cover Internet connectivity hardware, Internet service installation, and inside wiring.  No ongoing costs related to data circuits or Internet access will be funded by these grants.  Each grant award will be approximately $1000.
• Computer Upgrades and Equipment - Matching grants to upgrade or replace public access computers will be made to libraries serving low-income communities.  The State Library will match local funds three to one.  To be eligible libraries must apply for the grant. If libraries apply for more funds than are available, priority will be given to libraries with the highest poverty levels based on free and reduced school lunch program data. 

How do public libraries take advantages of the services made possible through the grant?  Public libraries do not need to do anything now because most of the services will not be implemented until 2006 and 2007.  The State Library will inform libraries about how to request grants and services at a later date.   Information will be provided on the State Library’s website and electronic maillists and through the Iowa Library Service Areas.