[Libs-Or] ALA sends letter to NTIA asking for additional broadband funding for public computer centers

[Diedre Conkling]

ALA sends letter to NTIA asking for additional broadband funding for public
computer centers <http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=4197>
December 29, 2009 ( 2
Comments<http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=js&name=js&ver=GRUts-X5mqs.en.&am=!JjYx-7BZhZy5A3Gi0egGIiyZ7URC3i6z3Cvtb6ZrA0jkGg#comments>)

Contact: Jenni Terry <jterry at alawash.org>
Press Officer
ALA Washington Office
202-628-8410

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Library Association (ALA) joined by nine
other supporters of broadband build-out sent a
letter<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Increase-PCC-Funding-Ltr-12-29-09.pdf>
to Assistant Secretary of Commerce Larry Strickling today asking the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to
substantially increase the amount of funding allocated for the Public
Computer Centers (PCC) program in the second round of funding for the
Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).

The groups assert that greater funding for the PCC program will allow public
libraries and community colleges to expand their computer and Internet
access capabilities for the general public, which is critically important in
these times of economic distress. Additionally, greater funding will
encourage the purchase of computers and other technology hardware, which
will benefit the high-tech sector of the economy and stimulate economic
growth, and create jobs in the equipment manufacturing and technology
installation industries.

Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the ALA Washington Office, said our
nation’s public libraries are serving as a critical access point to the
Internet for a growing number of Americans and are in dire need of increased
funding.

“Eighty-one percent of public libraries say that they do not have sufficient
computer capacity to meet the needs of their patrons,” Sheketoff said. “We
believe obtaining additional funding through the PCC program would equip
libraries to continue meeting the needs of the public.”

George Boggs, President and CEO of the American Association of Community
Colleges, said that community colleges’ computing centers are also
experiencing a boon in usage.

“Community colleges are more than just higher education institutions to the
areas they serve,” Boggs said.
“They are also access points for essential services that many in their
communities would otherwise lack, including broadband Internet.  Our
institutions are unable to keep up with the huge demand for public computer
centers, and more resources are badly needed for this essential aspect of
the national broadband strategy.”


http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=4197



-- 
Diedre Conkling
Lincoln County Library District
P.O. Box 2027
Newport, OR  97365
Work phone & fax:  541-265-3066
Work email:  diedre at beachbooks.org
Home email:  diedre08 at gmail.com
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