[Libs-Or] [Fwd: [alacro-l] Libraries Included in Broadband Grants Across Nation]

[Suzanne Sager]

FYI,

Suzanne L. Sager
Oregon ALA Chapter Councilor

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[alacro-l] Libraries Included in Broadband Grants Across Nation
Date: 	Tue, 6 Jul 2010 13:05:41 -0400
From: 	Michael Dowling <mdowling at ala.org>
To: 	ALACRO-L <alacro-l at ala.org>
CC: 	<chapeditor at ala.org>



'Libraries are winners in new BTOP and BIP awards'

Libraries were well represented in the 66 BTOP and BIP awards that the 
White House announced today. Several libraries were named as grantees, 
and a number of the awards include libraries as key components of the 
projects.

“It is tremendously satisfying to see libraries receive badly needed 
support for improving their broadband connectivity,” said Dr. Alan 
Inouye, director of the ALA’s Office for Information Technology Policy 
(OITP). “ALA and others invested a lot in advocacy and education for the 
library community in the past year, and we’re pleased that our efforts 
helped to lead to a beneficial outcome for the library community.”

Projects with significant library-specific benefits include those based 
in Arizona, the District of Columbia, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New 
Jersey, and Oklahoma. Additional projects benefit community anchor 
institutions generally, which include libraries. In particular, the 
award to create the U.S. Unified Community Anchor Network (U.S. UCAN) is 
expected to benefit many libraries.

Other projects improve broadband infrastructure in particular geographic 
areas, which benefit everyone, including libraries, in those areas.

“Many libraries will be able to improve their technological capabilities,”

said Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the ALA Washington Office. “Such

capabilities are essential to support patrons’ use of libraries for job 
searches, skills improvement, access to government resources and 
services, and schoolwork.”

Broadband is the new critical infrastructure for the 21st century, and 
ALA initiatives to promote BTOP and BIP and beyond will continue.

“ALA is engaged on many of the issues in the National Broadband Plan,” 
said Marijke Visser, OITP information technology policy analyst. 
“Currently, we are focused on the FCC’s initiative to reform the federal 
E-rate program, which is critical for the long-term sustainability of 
BTOP and BIP investments in the library community.”

View the White House announcement at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/background-presidents-recovery-act-announcement-tomorrow

View the list of awards at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/Broadband_Award_Roster.pdf

You may view the latest post at

http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=5097

Best regards,

Jacob Roberts

jroberts at alawash.org <mailto:jroberts at alawash.org>

FULL POST: http://bit.ly/9aSbch


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Portland State University logo

Suzanne L. Sager
Library East, Cataloging
Portland State University

503-725-8169
503-725-5799
sagers at pdx.edu